Political Lens

Top political adviser meets with religious figures

China's top political adviser Wang Huning extended his festive greetings on Thursday to religious personages and believers nationwide at a meeting with leaders of national religious groups ahead of Spring Festival, which falls on Jan 29.

Wang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body, also emphasized the need to adhere to the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation and to foster positive and healthy relations among religions to contribute to advancing Chinese modernization.

Efforts must be made to strengthen ideological and political guidance, and build up among religious figures and believers a growing sense of identity with the motherland, the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the Communist Party of China and socialism with Chinese characteristics, said Wang.

He also called for enhancing the rule of law in the governance of religious affairs and urged the religious groups to exercise full and strict governance over their religions.

Nations vow to promote innovative strategic ties

Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Swiss officials on Monday and Tuesday, and the two sides agreed to further promote their innovative strategic partnership.

Ding met with Karin Keller-Sutter, president of the Swiss Confederation and head of the Federal Department of Finance, and held talks with Guy Parmelin, vice-president of the Federal Council and head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025.

Ding noted that Switzerland was one of the first Western countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, adding that their bilateral relationship has exemplified mutual respect and win-win cooperation between countries with different social systems, development stages and sizes.

China Daily - Xinhua