Religious Freedom "with Chinese Characteristics".

This article examines the concept of religious freedom "with Chinese characteristics," analyzing China's legal texts and practices from Mao Zedong to Xi Jinping within the framework of traditional Chinese legal philosophies—Daoism, Legalism, and Confucianism. It identifies three enduring constitutional commitments in China’s approach to religious freedom: non-discrimination in religious belief (reflecting Daoism), regulation and normalization of religious practices (Legalism), and resistance to foreign religious influence (Confucianism). The article traces how these principles have evolved through successive Chinese leaderships, highlighting tensions between legal commitments and practices, such as the treatment of ethnic minorities and groups labeled as cults. It concludes with recommendations for strengthening China’s religious freedom framework by clarifying the distinction between Party and State roles, removing cult designations from criminal law, and expanding accommodations for non-traditional religious organizations to better address social issues.