A senior Chinese official who oversees religious and ethnic minority affairs has called for China to “strengthen” the education, training and management of Tibetan Buddhist personnel.
Li Ganjie, head of the Communist Party’s United Front Work Department and a member of the now 22-man Politburo, made the call during a trip to Tibetan areas in western China, state news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday.
He visited several religious organisations and study institutions in the Tibetan autonomous prefectures of Gansu and Sichuan provinces this week, the report said.
Xi Jinping attends Tibet anniversary events
Xi Jinping attends Tibet anniversary events
“[We must] guide Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society in accordance with the requirements of systematically advancing the Sinicisation of religion and strengthening the rule of law in religious affairs,” he said.
Similar calls have been made by senior officials, including President Xi Jinping.
During the inspection tour from April 18 to 22, Li inspected the training and education of Tibetan Buddhist monks, a facet Beijing considers crucial to the “Sinicisation” of religion. He urged Tibetan Buddhist groups to implement the party’s religious policies, and bolster the management of monasteries.
“[We] must strengthen the education, training and management of representatives of Tibetan Buddhism, guiding religious figures to safeguard national unity and ethnic solidarity,” Li said.
He said Tibetan Buddhist organisations and management institutions should improve religious schools to cultivate “high-level religious talent” proficient in both Tibetan Buddhist doctrines and Chinese culture.