By CCTV reporter Han Peng

The past decade in China has been marked by significant changes. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the freedom to pursue one’s personal spiritual journey. China’s policies on religious freedom have remained unchanged, and the country holds a religious population of over 100 million.
This choir sings to express Christian faith. They meet regularly to discuss religious topics and share their experiences. Across the country, there are 10 million Christians like them. The number is growing fast, with believers from all walks of life.

Zhao Junlu is a volunteer worker for the church. She leads the chorus once every week. At other times, she’s an English teacher and a pop singer on China’s most influential TV talent shows. She says although China is predominantly secular, Christians here enjoy their full rights to worship their God.

Zhao Junlu, Pop singer, said, "I really like the fact that the government respects our belief and religion, and gives us the freedom to do whatever we want."

Christianity is just one of the many religions that are protected by China. While Christians are celebrating here, if you walk down this road, you’ll find a Buddhist temple crowded with believers.

Buddhism is probably the most popular major religion for Chinese. Across China, Buddhist monks and nuns are the largest religious group. But its places of worship attract an even larger number of visitors who are not Buddhists, but still come to the temple regularly to pray for good luck.

"It’s not about what God you worship, but about what inspiration you’ve recieved. I believe all religions teach the same ideals. They are the true, the good, and the beautiful."

"There are five roommates in my college dorm. One of them believes in Christianity, another in Islam, others are non-believers, but we get on well with each other."

As she’s now talking in this Buddhist temple, not far away is a mosque, where Muslims are taking part in Friday prayer. A leading figure of Islam says the harmony among different religious groups is a direct consequence of China’s practice of religious freedom.

Xue Tianli, Head of Beijing Islamic Association, said, "In other countries, people with different religious faiths can end up in conflict, or even violence. But that seldom happens in China. The government says in its Constitution that no one should interfere in religious issues, and all religions are equally protected by the law."

Beijing is a crossroad of religions. All religions meet in this cosmopolitan city. While their traditions may differ, all religions share one valuable thing: they all benefit from religious tolerance and freedom here in China.