Chinese enjoy the freedom of religious belief in accordance with law, while religious groups, venues for religious activities, the legitimate rights and interests of religious adherents and their normal religious activities are protected by law, says a white paper on China's human rights progress in 2004 issued by the Information Office of the State Council on Wednesday.

In 2004, the State Council promulgated China's first comprehensive administrative regulation on religious matters -- " Regulations on Religious Affairs," according to the paper.

It clearly defines the rights of religious groups and adherents with regards to religious activities, establishment of religious colleges and schools, publishing of religious books and periodicals, management of religious properties and foreign religious exchanges. It also regulates the administrative acts of relevant departments of the government so as to ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of religious believers, religious groups and venues for religious activities are not infringed upon.

According to incomplete statistics, China has now more than 100 million religious adherents, more than 100,000 venues for religious activities, and about 300,000 clergy members. Normal religious ceremonies or rituals conducted by ministers and all other normal religious activities -- carried out either in venues for religious activities or homes of religious adherents in accordance with religious tradition -- are taken care of by believers themselves and protected by law.

The paper says that different religions, of their own accord, have created more than 3,000 national and regional religious organizations. They elect their own leaders in accordance with their own regulations and conduct religious ceremonies independently. They also print and publish religious classics and periodicals, and hold public welfare services.

The accumulative print run of the Bible has reached 35 million. Religious organizations run 76 religious colleges where ministers are trained, according to the paper.

All religions follow the principle of running their own affairs independently and, on the basis of equality and friendship, they are actively engaged in exchanges and communication with religious organizations in other countries, says the paper.