E/CN.4/2001/0063 page 38 Feng to house arrest on 24 September 1999. On 19 November, the local labour education and rehabilitation committee decided to punish Zhang and Feng with three years and one year of education through labour respectively. Wang Xincai, male, age 47, is from Lushan County, Henan Province. In 1980, he joined the cult organization shouting faction and became a key member. He was subjected to 15 days’ security detention by the local public security department according to law for his participation in the planning of the illegal activities in Tanghe County on 23 August 1999 which disturbed the local public order. He has been released. As to Gao Guofu, Gang Jinliang and some others mentioned in the [Special Rapporteur’s] letter who took part in the illegal gathering, the local public security department did not subject them to arrest, detention or any other punishment. Although serious efforts have been made to locate their whereabouts, no trace has been found of the following seven persons mentioned in the letter: Zhao Chunshun, Sun Zheguo, Jian Wenxiang, Liu Wanlin, Zhan He, Chen Yaofu and Xu Changhua. Comments Religious belief is a basic right of Chinese citizens. Article 36 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China provides: ‘Citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief. No State organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion.’ There are clear and specific provisions concerning protection of freedom of religious belief and of equal rights of the citizens who believe in religions in China’s criminal law, civil law, electoral law, military service law and compulsory education law. The Chinese Government respects and protects citizens’ freedom and rights of religious belief. The State protects normal religious activities. The normal religious activities conducted in public and those conducted at home according to religious customs are organized by religious organizations and believers themselves. Such activities are protected by State laws and no one may intervene. The State protects the lawful rights and interests of religious organizations and the rights of professional religious personnel to perform their normal religious duties. Christians and Catholics in China have their own religious organizations. The Chinese Government confers on all churches and meeting places which meet requirements the right to register themselves according to law. Once registered, such places are protected by law. The Government authorizes the temporary registration of meeting places which do not satisfy all requirements, and registration becomes official once all the requirements have been met. Consequently there are no ‘clandestine churches’ in China. However, it is undeniable that there are certain organizations and individuals in the world which are quick to spread rumours and make capital out of alleged ill-treatment and persecutions of ‘clandestine churches’. Their real motives are