Formerly, SARA was an executive agency directly under the State Council of the People's Republic of China which oversaw religious affairs in the country. In 2018, during a series of institutional reforms, the agency and its functions were merged into the United Front Work Department.[1][2] The names of the former agency were retained by the United Front Work Department as external names under the system called "one institution with two names".[3]
Originally created in 1954 as the Religious Affairs Bureau (RAB),[4]:227 the State Administration for Religious Affairs was closely connected with the United Front Work Department (UFWD) and charged with overseeing the operations of China's five officially sanctioned religious organizations:
Under the direction of the UFWD, the RAB was a body with which all religious groups in China had to register in order to obtain their legal status.[4]:41
Xiao Xianfa directed the RAB from 1961 to 1965.[5]:12 The RAB was criticised during the Cultural Revolution.[5]:12 It was abolished in 1975.[5]:12
In April 1979, the RAB was re-established with Xiao back as its director.[5]:12–13 RAB's responsibilities were "to protect the freedom of religious beliefs of Chinese citizens as required by law, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of religious groups and the venues of their activities, ensure the religious leaders can conduct regular religious activities, and ensure citizens who wish to do so can take part in regular religious activities" and to "prevent and curb illegal, irregular, and illegitimate activities under the guise of religion."[5]:12
In 1998, the RAB was re-established as The State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA).[4]:227 SARA was established to oversee religious appointments, the selection of clergy, and the interpretation of religious doctrine. State Administration for Religious Affairs was also meant to ensure that the registered religious organizations support and carry out the policy priorities of the CCP.[6] For instance, SARA has maintained a "living Buddha database" to track prominent Tibetan Buddhists who are loyal to the CCP.[7][8]
