Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs in Guangzhou, China, is offering rewards to those who provide it with information on the structure and activities of illegal religious groups in that city.

We are aware of the reports from Guangzhou and continue to monitor these and other reports relating to freedom of religion or belief in China. Everyone should be free to practice their religion according to their beliefs, in accordance with the international frameworks to which both the UK and China are party. We believe that societies which aim to guarantee freedom of religion or belief are more stable, prosperous and more resilient against violent extremism. The prohibition of some religious groups, and the legal restrictions and harassment aimed at others, undermines freedom of religion or belief in China.