BEIJING - Chinese authorities have said that the government encourages religious groups to perform charity activities.

The government actively encourages and supports religious groups to engage in charity activities and policies will be implemented to guide such charitable works, following the principles of "active support, equal treatment and lawful administration," said a notice published on Monday that was jointly issued by the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) and five other departments.

According to the notice, the government will also provide preferential policies for such charitable works.

The new regulation is expected to further inspire religious groups' enthusiasm to engage in charity and safeguard the healthy development of the charity sector, said a statement of the SARA.