Speech by Ven. Zhang Jiyu, Vice President of CCRP and China Taoist Association at the EC Meeting of ACRP in 2013

Summary of 2012-2013 Annual Work of CCRP

First, we promote unity and harmony among China's five major religions to contribute to building a harmonious society

(A) China's five major religions are equal, and they show mutual respect, solidarity and harmony to each other. By participating in the CCRP activities, the representatives of all religions communicate with each other, share their experiences, learn from each other and safeguard the good situation of religious amenity to contribute to the promotion of social harmony.

(B) It is the duty of religious personages to extol our faith and promote social harmony. CCRP members influence the believers with the correct knowledge, right views, right faith and correct behavior, teaching them to be good believers and good citizens. For example, senior monks from China's three major languages of Buddhism and scholars organized a seminar on the Buddhist view of life themed "mercy and compassion, treating life well". The Taoists organized preaching activities, and the Islams had a national "al-Wa'z" speech contest. The Catholics held theological symposiums in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Vatican II, and the Christians organized sermons of "harmonious dedication". Against "doomsday" rumors spread by cult gangs, which was aimed at cheating money and disrupting social order, China's religious circles opposed and refuted them resolutely and promoted the right views by calling on people to recognize the evils of cults. CCRP members participated in these activities.

(C) Chinese religious circles have a tradition of serving the community and benefiting the people. CCRP members are active in philanthropic activities. In 2012, China's five major religions organized a Charitable Week in order to "love humanity, aligning five religions". According to incomplete statistics, during the week, religious circles contributed a total of more than 260 million yuan (about forty million U.S. dollars). CCRP members made due contribution in this activity.

(D) The majority of CCRP members are members of the Chinese National People's Congress or the CPPCC National Committee. They actively participate in the administration and discussion of state affairs as representatives of Chinese religious circles, offer suggestions and ideas about the country's reform and development, present the social conditions and public opinion about some of problems from the people, especially religious people, thus pushing forward the related work of the government departments.

Second, we actively engage in friendly exchanges to promote understanding and communication, and uphold the equality, respect, tolerance and cooperation

(A) In September 2012, a delegation of the CCRP Secretariat was invited to visit South Korea, and held a working meeting with KCRP to exchange views on the arrangements of CCRP delegation's visit in 2013 and further deepening our bilateral exchanges. The delegation also visited Seoul, Iksan, Gwangju, Busan and other places, had friendly exchanges with South Korea's major religious leaders and representatives, and visited the relevant sites for religious activities. Since the signing of the agreement in 2006, CCRP and KCRP have paid multi-level mutual visits and obtain positive results in deepening mutual understanding, expanding consensus and promoting friendship.

(B) In April 2013, a CCRP delegation was invited to visit the WCRP, RfP/US, RfP/Germany, and RfP/Italy. There were friendly and frank working talks between the delegation and the above organizations for extensive and in-depth exchanges on issues of mutual interest.

(C) CCRP members assisted in receiving a delegation led by Deputy Minister of the Saudi Islamic Affairs, who went to Ningxia, Guangdong and other places, to visit the Muslim orphanage, China Hui Culture Park, mosques and other religious social and cultural places.

(D) CCRP members also play an important role in foreign exchanges of their respective religion. In 2012 China held the Third World Buddhist Forum, and China Taoism Academy held the first foreign student training course. In 2012, CCRP Vice Chairman Zhang Jiyu and Secretary-General Xue Cheng participated in the New York Nishan Forum on World Civilization and made presentations entitled "The Modern Value of Taoist Ethical Thought" and "Compatibility between Different Civilizations" respectively. China Islamic Association organized pilgrimage of about 14 thousand people, and held in Turkey "Sino-Turkey Islamic Cultural Show and Performance", which involved Some CCRP members. In the closing event, Imam Chen Guangyuan, CCRP Vice Chairman and Chairman of the China Islamic Association, was invited to address at the Blue Mosque of "al-Wa'z" on "Peace and Friendship, Harmonious Coexistence" on Jumah. He emphasized that Islamic culture aims at building harmonious society world. Chinese Catholic delegation visited Italy, Switzerland, France, the United States and other countries, and hosted the Delegation of Global South Assembly led by the Anglican Archbishops of 11 countries and the Delegation of Russian Orthodox Patriarchate Department in China. Chinese Christian Church hosted in China the annual meeting of the International Affairs Council of World Council of Churches, and held in the United States the Bible Ministry Exhibition of the Protestant Church in China, and jointly organized the Sino-U.S. Christian Leaders' Forum with the United States Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The relevant CCRP members also participated in the above activities.

In activities inside and outside China, CCRP organized, actively participated, or encouraged members to play a role. In these activities, you can see the CCRP members' active presence.

In addition, CCRP continues to sponsor Prayer for Peace of all religions in China to commemorate the anniversary of the victory of Chinese people's war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the world anti-fascist war. We also opened the Chinese and English websites for CCRP.