BEIJING -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday emphasized the importance of ensuring that religions in China further adapt to the Chinese context.

Xi called for providing active guidance to religions so that they can adapt to socialist society while he was presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the Party has put forward a series of new ideas and measures, including the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, Xi said, adding that these efforts have led to achievements in religious work in the new era.

Xi noted that adapting religions in China to the Chinese context is key to achieving religious harmony, ethnic unity, social harmony and long-term stability of the country.

He also called for efforts to guide religious figures and believers to develop an accurate understanding of country, history, ethnicity, culture and religion.

He said religions in China can only be passed down healthily by always having their roots in the Chinese culture, and required efforts to promote the integration of religions with fine traditional Chinese culture.

Xi noted that managing religious affairs in accordance with the law is the fundamental way to properly handle contradictions and issues in the field of religion, and underscored the need to improve relevant regulations and policies.