Wang Zhaoguo, deputy chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks at a meeting to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement in China.

Wang, who is also head of the Front Work Department of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said it is necessary to popularize patriotism education among religious believers and expose the crimes committed by foreign missionaries in China in history.

He also stressed the importance of education that religions are compliant with the China's socialist society.

While running churches, religious believers should safeguard the interests of the people, abide by the law, and maintain national unity, he pointed out.

At the same time, Wang said, churches in China should carry out research on religions abroad, train more middle-aged and young missionaries who are patriotic, and build the good image of Chinese religions in the world.

The official praised Chinese patriotic Christians for their great contributions to the socioeconomic development of the country during the past five decades.

He blasted some overseas forces which attempted to deny the history when imperialists were using religion to invade China.

During the time from the Opium War in 1840 to 1949, when the People's Republic of China was founded, he said, the imperialists had continuously used religion to serve their evil purposes. Some missionaries participated in the opium trade, drafting of unequal treaties and invasion. Some served as intelligence agents or guides for foreign invaders.

In 1950, in order to break away from the control and influence of imperialism, Chinese Christians, led by Y.T. Wu, initiated the "self-administration, self-support and self-propagation" patriotic movement.

(People’s Daily 09/24/2000)