Retired officials who are Communist Party of China (CPC) members in Beijing are required to be atheists and are banned from practicing any religious activities, according to new rules.



"The guidelines on strengthening management of retired personnel stipulate that retired Party members shall not have religious belief or participate in religious activities. They are required to firmly fight against cults," the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Retired Personnel said on its website on Friday.



The guideline also notes that it is necessary to distinguish religious activities from traditional customs.



"Whether on duty or retired from their posts, they cannot be allowed to have religious belief, which is regulated by the CPC Constitution," Xiong Kunxin, a professor of ethnic theory and policy at the Minzu University of China in Beijing, told the Global Times.



Some Party members have gradually weakened their political concepts after retirement, which undermines Party unity, Su Wei, a professor at the Party School of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, told the Global Times, adding that they can turn to religion when they withdraw from the Party.



"But it is reasonable for Party members, either working or retired, to join in certain religious activities, since they need a way to connect with those who have religious beliefs," Xiong noted.



Their attendance at religious activities does not represent a commitment to religion but as a way to connect with the public, he explained.



Beijing government released the guideline on February 22, following suggestions issued by the State Council on January 22, 2016. This was the first major document dealing with senior Party officials since 1982, the year the retirement system for senior Party officials was established.



Retired officials also need to study important speeches of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, the bureau said. Party officials have to follow political discipline and rules, and keep aligned with the CPC Central Committee in which Xi is "the core."



Religious groups must adhere to CPC leadership and support socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi said in 2016.