Various religions are practiced in China, such as Buddhism, Islamism, Catholicism and Christianity. Religions traditional to China include Taoism, as well as SHamanism, Orthodoxy and Dongba.
Buddhism spread to China about the lst century. Tibetan Buddhism is a part of Chinese Buddhism, and is practiced mainly in the Tibet Autonomous Region and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Islamism spread to China about the 7th century. Protestantism spread to China in the early 19th century. Taoism was formed in the 2nd century, and worships Lal Zi of the Spring and Autumn Period as its founder.
Chinese citizens enjoy the freedom of religious belief, and the Chinese Government respects its citizens in their free choice of religious belief and protecting separation of religion and education. Various religious organizations in China have established friendship ties with religious organizations and religions personages in more than 70 countries and regions in the world.