Abstract

Although law and politics are never completely separated, in most jurisdictions their separation is very strict. In China, however, law and politics have a close relationship. In some countries, the law was primarily designed to protect religion from state interference; in China, however, the opposite seems to be true, that is, the law was developed to protect the state from religious interference in civil and governmental affairs, because religions were seen, and initially largely were, as foreign organizations (Costantini). The law fulfils this task by containing religion within defined parameters; religion is considered a private affair that should have no influence in public affairs. Although Chinese citizens enjoy broad freedom of religious belief, there are precise rules regulating freedom of religious expression, rules that continue to be expanded and updated, and it is the purpose of this article to outline the latest updates on the subject.