China insists religion must be free from foreign influence

Free to be bound only to the Communist Socialist State.

Really? Really.

China’s president warned in a key policy speech that religions must be independent from foreign influence, as the government asks domestic religious groups to pledge loyalty to the state.

Which keeps ‘influence’ in domestic, socialist hands.

China is ruled by the officially atheist Communist Party, and Beijing attempts to control a variety of religions and their spread.

“We must manage religious affairs in accordance with the law and adhere to the principle of independence to run religious groups on our own accord,” Xi said at a high-level party meeting that sought to unite non-Communist Party groups and individuals. His comments were widely reported in state media.

There’s an oxymoron for you.

“Active efforts should be made to incorporate religions into socialist society,” Xi said, adding that the party’s religious work should be about winning over the hearts and minds of the public for the party.

Which proves wholly and completely, if such proof were necessary, that such (or any) totalitarian ideologies are totally incoherent. Say whatever you will.