Taoism is one of five religious doctrines officially recognized by the Chinese government, although it is subject to the same restrictions as all the others. The Chinese Communist Party is attempting to turn all of them into vehicles for state propaganda.
“The 7th Dongyue Forum: The Paradoxical “Sinicization of Taoism” Continues in China,” by He Yuyan, Bitter Winter, December 11, 2024:
On November 25, the 7th Dongyue Forum and seminar on deepening the Sinicization of Taoism took place at Beijing’s Dongyue Temple. Attendees included Yuan Zhihong, Vice President of the China Taoist Association; Sun Qi, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Committee of Ethnic and Religious Affairs; Li Guohong, Member of the Standing Committee of the Chaoyang District Committee and Minister of the United Front Work Department; Zheng Xiaojun, Director of the Institute of World Religions of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; and Cao Zhongjian, former Party Secretary.
Taoist Priest Li Xinjun, President of Beijing Taoist Association, gave a speech and signed the ‘Framework Agreement on Systematic Promotion of Sinicization of Taoism,” with Taoist Priest Han Zhifeng, Resident Vice President of Hebei Taoist Association, vowing to export Beijing’s virtuous Sinicization practices of Taoism to Hebei.
The Dongyue Forum was founded in 2018 and is a unique institution. It defines itself as “an academic and cultural activity centered on exploring the continuing Sinicization of Taoism in China.”…
