Five major religions in China issued a joint declaration in Beijing Friday, pledging equality, inclusiveness and more communication among different religions.

People of different religions in China would recognize and respect the differences among different religions, and oppose all kinds of discrimination and attempts to stir up disputes with such differences, the declaration said.

Efforts would be made to promote communication and cooperation among various religions to avoid prejudice and misunderstandings, and to resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation, the declaration said.

The release of the declaration was part of China's religious circle's activities to observe the upcoming first United Nations' World Interfaith Harmony Week.

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Oct. 20, 2010, declaring the first week of February every year as World Interfaith Harmony Week for all religions, faiths and beliefs.

China has more than 100 million believers of various religions. Most of them are followers of five major religions -- Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism and Catholicism, according to the website of the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA).

The Joint Declaration on Promoting Religious Harmony was endorsed by national associations of the five religions, including the Buddhist Association of China, the Taoist Association of China, the Islamic Association of China, the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, the Bishops' Conference of the Catholic Church in China, the Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee of the Protestant Churches in China, and the China Christian Council.

The declaration said that people in the religious circle in China would love both their country and their religion, and conduct religious practices in accordance with the law.

It also vowed to promote harmony, unity and friendship among people with and without religion, as well among people of different religions.

The religious circle should oppose malicious misinterpretations of religion and keep clear of terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as cults that are sociopathic and antihuman, the declaration said.

The Chinese government has been giving equal consideration to all religions in China, but opposes any attempts, in the name of religion, to undermine national security, ethic unity and social stability, said SARA director Wang Zuoan.

Joint efforts by religious believers around China and the world to promote harmony and understanding would bring the world more peace, Xue Cheng, vice-president of the Buddhist Association of China, told Xinhua.

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