These organizations and their activities are subject to the protection of the Constitution and other laws. The state protects the freedom of religious belief and the normal religious activities of citizens. No State organ, social organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, a religion, nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion. Incomplete statistics show that China now has more than 100 million religious believers and 85,000 venues for religious activities that have been registered, with some 300,000 professional religious personnel. There are more than 3,000 national and local religious organizations and 74 religious colleges.
Various religions publish their scriptures, and religious books and journals.
Chinese religious organizations have established contacts with religious organizations and personnel in more than 70 countries and regions. Both the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference include people who have religious beliefs and who come from various social groups and organizations. More than 17,000 religious personnel have been elected deputies to the people's congresses and members of the people's political consultative conferences at various levels. Public security and judicial organs crack down on crimes according to law, and protect citizens' legitimate rights and interests from being infringed. According to statistics, in 1998, however, they handled 5.4 million first instance cases, including 480,000 criminal cases, 3.