"There is an urgent need to strengthen interfaith dialogue to boost mutual understanding and promote world harmony in an era of globalization," Ismail Amat, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said at the ASEM annual dialogue, which opened in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province yesterday.

China has engaged itself in building a harmonious society in which religion can play an important role, he said, adding that harmony is an essence of the Chinese culture nurtured by the 56 ethnic groups and freedom of religious belief is fully safeguarded for every citizen in the country's law and policies.