China adopts new religion rules

BEIJING, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- China has announced new restrictions on religion that the government believes will end religious discrimination, the BBC reported.

The state-run Xinhua news agency says the "religious affairs provisions," set to come into effect March 1, are designed to keep up with "rapid socio-economic development."

The rules came after human rights groups accused the Chinese authorities of repressing religious activities.

However, some analysts have said the wording of the new rules suggest no change in policy in what is officially an atheist country.