Washington DC-November 17, 2004

China Aid Association released a long awaited secret document by top Chinese government and Communist Party departments today at the Senate building today. Here are both CAA’s analysis and the full Chinese and English text.

CAA’S ANALYSIS OF THE SECRET DOCUMENT

BY BOB FU

This is a secret document we obtained from a currently high ranking Communist Party official who is very unhappy with the repressive party policy toward religious groups in China. It is a document from the highest level of Chinese government that we have ever been able to obtain. This document, entitled “Notice on Further Strengthening Marxist Atheism Research, Propaganda and Education” dated May 27, 2004, is a notice named “Zhong Xuan Fa [2004] No.13” issued jointly by the Department of Propaganda of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Department of Propaganda of the Central Committee of the CPC, the Office of the Central Steering Committee on Spiritual Civilization Construction, the Communist Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC and Ministry of Education as well as China Academy of Social Science and it is classified as a “secret document.” It is addressed to the Department of Personnel, the Department of Propaganda, the Office of Spiritual Civilization Construction, and the Communist Party School of the Communist Party Committee, and the Department of Education of all provinces, autonomous regions and metropolises, the Communist Party Committee of all departments, ministries and commissions of the Communist Party and the state organs, and the General Department of Political Affairs of the People’s Liberation Army. Copies of the document were to be submitted to members and alternate members of the Politburo of the Central Committee, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee, Premier, Vice Premier and State Counselors of the State Council. It was copied to the General Office of the Central Committee, the General Office of the State Council and distributed by the Secretariat of the General Office of the Department of Propaganda of the Central Committee on May 28, 2004. This secret document was distributed with only 750 copies in total.

1. This secret notice is issued in order to “further boost Marxist atheism research, propaganda, and education.” It reflects a new assessment from the top Party leaders in light of “the new situation to target the cultic organization of ‘Falun Gong’ and various pseudo-sciences and superstitions, and the new trend toward Western hostile forces’ attempting to ‘westernize’ and ‘disintegrate’ China in the name of religion”. It calls for the government to keep a tight hold on all national education, media communications, research on social sciences, spiritual civilization construction activities of the people, the trainings conducted by the Communist Party School and administrative institutions at different levels, and others.” Particular attention shall be centered on the Party cadres and juveniles so that “…fatuity and superstition are opposed, and evil teachings and heterodox are boycotted.” It specifically demands the Communist Party School and administrative institutions in western and border regions with multi ethnic groups and religions to “increase the proportion of Marxist atheism propaganda and education targeting local leaders.” It urges Marxist atheism propaganda and education to be integrated into all sectors of society throughout the country in all levels. All efficient measures shall be taken to “ban all uncivilized conduct in spreading superstitions” in order to cause ‘peoples’ minds to be educated, spirits enriched, their state of thought improved”.

2. It paid special attention to the role of mass media. It calls to all the broadcasting, TV, newspapers, and magazines and asks them to develop their respective advantages to earnestly publicize Marxist atheism. Particularly, regarding the Internet, it instructs the key websites to strengthen their “management over online comments and make the internet a new tool to conduct Marxist atheism propaganda and education.” It strongly asks all the media and government officials to “firmly ban all illegal publications which disseminate superstitions and evil teachings.” This policy seems to be a direct reference regarding the recent campaign on closing websites, arresting individuals and banning publications with dissident voices.

3. Regarding the academic exchange of conducting research on religion with foreigners, this notice calls for “the relevant regulations of the state to be strictly followed.” It calls “the procedure on approving and recording shall be made sound” which means more scrutiny will be posed for foreign exchange program on religious studies..

4. Though the document repeated its old policy to “fully implement the party’s policy on freedom of religious belief, respect people’s freedom to believe religion or not to believe religion” yet it calls the atheistic officials to “make distinction between religion and superstition” which are inevitably going to cause arbitrary classification on religious groups.

China Aid Association by Copyright 2004

See the document on CAA's website