A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said on Monday that the CPC will adhere to its basic policy of respecting religious freedom.

When meeting with leaders of major national religious groups in Beijing, Yu Zhengsheng, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said the Party's policy on religious affairs will remain unchanged.

The CPC's fundamental religious policy includes respecting religious freedom, administering religious affairs according to law, the principle of independence and self-governance as well as guiding religion to make it adapt to a socialist country.

Only by implementing the policy can both religious followers and non-religious people be mobilized in the joint endeavor to build China into a moderately prosperous society in all respects, Yu said.

"Only by implementing the policy can China withstand the infiltration of overseas-based hostile forces that make use of religion," according to the official.

Hailing the achievements of religious groups in organization building, Yu stressed the importance of religious personnel training and called on CPC committees and local governments to give more support to religious adherents.

The official also extended Spring Festival greetings to religious followers.

(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2013)