Religions in China must adapt themselves to the situation in China and must be Chinese in orientation, a senior Chinese official said at a press conference on Saturday.“The United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee has provided active guidance to religions so that they can adapt themselves to socialist society… that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation,” Zhang Yijiong, executive vice minister of the department, told reporters on the sidelines of the 19th National Party Congress on Saturday.Religions should adapt themselves to the times and human environment, and achieve localization, so that it could survive, Zhang said, adding that they “need to work hard to use socialist core values to lead their development in our country, with Chinese values to nurture religious culture.”Zhang said that they have also faithfully implemented the CPC Central Committee’s strategies on the governance of Tibet and Xinjiang and relentlessly fought against secessionism, which safeguard the national unity, ethnic solidarity and social stability.On the Dalai Lama’s visit to some countries, Zhang said that the Dalai Lama is a political figure, who has disguised himself as a religious figure and wants to separate the Tibet Autonomous Region from the motherland.“Some politicians in some countries met with the Dalai Lama, which hurt the Chinese people’s feelings and broke their promise to the Chinese government … China firmly opposes [this conduct] … We hope some countries and politicians speak and act prudently,” Zhang said.China is guiding the sinicization of Tibetan Buddhism and hopes it can draw the essence of Chinese culture, which also caters to the needs of the development of Tibetan Buddhism, Zhang said.