Freedom of religious belief effectively safeguarded in Xizang: white paper

(ECNS) -- Lawful religious activities are under effective protection, and every effort is made to satisfy the religious needs of believers in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, said a white paper issued by China's State Council Information Office Friday.

The region has approximately 46,000 Buddhist monks and nuns, 12,000 native Muslims, and over 700 believers of Catholicism, according to the white paper titled "Human Rights in Xizang in the New Era."