Religious extremism is spreading to inland China: official

[rug]

Mon Nov 28, 2016 | 6:46am EST

Religious extremism has begun to spread to inland China from its western Xinjiang region, long considered by the government to be at the forefront of its efforts to battle Islamist separatists, the country's top religious affairs official said.

China says it faces a serious threat from Islamist militants in Xinjiang, which borders central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is home to the largely Muslim Uighur minority group.

Hundreds have died there in recent years in violence that Beijing blames on religious extremists, and the government has put in place tight controls on religion in the name of combating radicalism and maintaining stability.

Extremist thought was now infiltrating China's "inland provincial areas", Wang Zuoan, head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, told the National Congress of the Chinese Islamic Association, according to an article in the official China Daily newspaper on Monday.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-security-xinjiang-idUSKBN13N12P

[Jim__]

1. 'Extremist thought was now infiltrating China's "inland provincial areas"'

Extremist thought? It may be somewhat difficult to control thought. But, I'm sure China will give it a good try.

[rug]

2. It's code. The government has been cracking down on Islam for some time.

Chinese Muslims should resolutely oppose religious extremism, Wang Zuo'an, chief of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, said.

In his address at the 10th National Congress of Chinese Muslims on Saturday, Wang said the development of Islam in China should stick to socialism with Chinese characteristics, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday.

While respecting Muslims' beliefs and customs, religious interference in the fields of politics, justice and education is intolerable, Wang said.

It is strongly advocated that new mosques should demonstrate Chinese characteristics and national features, instead of deliberate copying foreign architectural styles, Wang said.

http://www.news18.com/news/world/china-asks-muslims-to-oppose-religious-extremism-stick-to-socialism-1316579.html