China Security Head Calls for Crackdown on 'Hostile Forces'

China's Public Security Minister Zhou Yongkang is calling for an intensified crackdown on what he calls foreign foes, religious extremists and terrorists to maintain social stability. Chinese state media Tuesday are reporting that Zhou Yongkang says China must strike hard at hostile forces of ethnic separatism, religious extremism and violent terrorism, as well as what he called evil cults, such as the Falun Gong.

China banned the Falun Gong in 1999. China's officially atheist government recognizes only state-approved religions, and the authorities often harass those who practice unauthorized faiths.

中国公安部长周永康呼吁加紧镇压他所说的“境外敌对势力、宗教极端势力和暴力恐怖势力”，以维护社会稳定。中国国营媒体星期二援引周永康的话说，中国必须严厉打击民族分裂势力、宗教极端势力，暴力恐怖势力以及法轮功等他所说的邪教。

中国在1999年取缔了Falun功。中国的无神论当局只承认得到国家认可的宗教，而且经常骚扰那些信仰没有官方未承认宗教的人士。