Religion 'can promote harmony'

The nation's top political advisor yesterday pledged to use religion for promoting social harmony.

"We should fully follow the policy on freedom of religious belief, implement the regulations on religious affairs, and conduct thorough research on important and difficult issues related to religion," said Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

"We should guide religious leaders and believers to improve their lives, and make full use of their positive role in promoting social harmony," he said in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the first session of the 11th CPPCC National Committee.