Beijing, May 20 (IANS): Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday stressed that the development of religions in China should be independent from foreign influence.

"Active efforts should be made to incorporate religions in the socialist society," state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Xi as saying at a high-profile meeting on the united front work of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

He promised to fully implement the CPC's policy of religious freedom and manage religious affairs in line with the law.

The president called for a balanced attitude towards religions, taking into account all pros and cons.

The country acknowledged the contribution of religious people and would encourage them to continue working for China's economic, social and cultural development as well as unity of ethnic groups and unification of the motherland, he said.

As of now, China only approves of its Patriotic Catholic Association, which regulates the religious activities of Christians but does not accept the Vatican's authority, an Efe news agency report said.

The Muslim Uighur ethnic minority, which lives in the northwestern Chinese province of Xinjiang, has repeatedly denounced the government's intolerance towards certain Islamic practices, such as women covering with veils and men keeping beards.

China systematically condemns countries for intruding in its internal affairs and is especially opposed to governments that question its policies in Tibet and Xinjiang, where the state denounces extremist religious groups seeking independence.