98% of Chinese clergy registered

BEIJING - Chinese authorities have certified and registered 98 percent of the country's 322,717 clergy members in a bid to regulate the country's religious affairs, the latest data show.

Starting in 2010, the registration also includes training in doctrine and religion-related laws and policies, according to a statement released after a national conference on religious work on Tuesday.

"The certification and registration process has helped prevent and crack down on fake religious staff," the statement said.

It said that the campaign "significantly boosted" the quality of clergy members and their awareness of the law while enabling better protection of their legitimate interests and rights to enjoy various favorable policies.

Some 96.5 percent of the country's clergy have joined associated medical programs on a voluntary basis, while 89.6 percent have joined pension programs.

According to the statement, the State Administration for Religious Affairs will explore measures for regular certification and registration as a norm while improving the system to punish and dismiss religious staff who violate laws and regulations.

Meanwhile, Wang Zuo'an, director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, revealed that 91.3 percent of the country's religious venues had been found to have standard financial management.

During the meeting, Wang stressed that religion-related decisions and policies made by the central authorities must be firmly implemented, and called for more efforts to solve issues hindering the country's religious affairs.

The country's religious circle is aiming for more overseas exchanges, added the official, citing multiple international religious events to be held in China next year, such as the third International Taoism Forum and the World Fellowship of Buddhists conference.