What is religious Sinicisation in China and why is it important to Beijing?

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for further enactment of laws and regulations, as well as stricter law enforcement, in religious affairs in a push to Sinicise religions in the country, according to state media. Xi said that continuously promoting the Sinicisation of religions – a term used by the ruling party to describe efforts to orient all religions in China towards Chinese politics and culture – was “the only way” for religious, ethnic and social harmony, and long-term stability of the country, according to Xinhua. The Post’s China news editor Jun Mai explains why.