BEIJING - A government white paper on Thursday defended China's efforts in fighting religious extremism, saying it is a just act to safeguard the fundamental interests of the country and the people.

Religious extremists, in the name of religion, spread radical and extremist views, and take extremist means to try to establish a theocracy. Religious extremism is by nature "anti-human, anti-society, anti-civilization and anti-religion," read the white paper titled "Freedom of Religious Belief in Xinjiang."

Religious extremism betrays and distorts religious doctrines, deludes and deceives the public, particularly young people, with their fallacies, and changes some people into extremists and terrorists completely under its control, according to the document issued by the State Council Information Office.

Affected by international religious extremism, religious extremism has grown and spread in Xinjiang in recent years.

Facts show that religious extremism has become a real danger that undermines national unity and ethnic solidarity, sabotages religious and social harmony, impairs social stability and peace in Xinjiang, and endangers the life and property of people of all ethnic groups, read the white paper.

Religious extremist forces have designed and carried out a series of severe and violent terrorist attacks in China, injuring or killing religious personnel and believers and other innocent people, read the white paper.

It said crackdown on terrorism and extremism is in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, such as the Criminal Law and the Counterterrorism Law, and is an important part of the battle of the world community against religious extremism.

It said China will uphold the role of modern civilization, strengthen international cooperation and improve the people's well-being, so as to prevent the breeding of extremist thoughts.

China prohibits any organization or individual from splitting the country, disseminating extremist religious thoughts, inciting ethnic hatred, undermining national unity, disturbing social order, or impairing citizens' physical and mental health in the name of religion.

At a press conference elaborating on the white paper, Shewket Imin, an official with the Xinjiang regional committee of the Communist Party of China, said the key to combating extremism lies in local communities, where problems tend to form.

He cited a three-year campaign in Xinjiang, launched in 2014, which involves some 210,000 officials visiting villagers, understanding the conditions they live in and "winning their hearts."

Asked about Ilham Tohti, a Uygur teacher sentenced to life in prison for separatism in 2014, another official attending the press conference said the sentence was based on facts.

"The judgment was not targeting any particular ethnic group or religion. As long as you break the law, you will be punished by law, regardless of who you are, which ethnic group you belong to and what religion you believe in," said Jerla Isamudinhe, vice chairman of the Xinjiang regional government.

The white paper noted that normal religious activities in Xinjiang are protected by law, and religious organizations are responsible for coordinating internal religious affairs and the government should not interfere.

"No Xinjiang citizen has been punished because of his or her rightful religious belief," read the white paper.

The document said those who have violated the legitimate rights and interests of religious organizations, venues for religious activities or clerical personnel or believers will bear due legal responsibilities, and those who have committed crimes will be held criminally responsible.

Judicial organs at all levels in Xinjiang combat criminal activities in the name of religion to better ensure the citizens' freedom of religious belief and normal religious activities, said the white paper.