China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Wednesday urged continued protection of religious freedom and promotion of religious harmony in the new year.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), told religious workers to safeguard citizens' freedom of religious belief and the orderly progress of religious activities.

Religious believers should be encouraged to play their active role in the country's social and economic development and construction of a moderately well-off society, he said at a national conference on religious work.

(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2009)