China will help the religious circles resolve difficulties encountered in construction of projects, a government action plan released on Monday said.

The National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2012-2015) published by China's State Council Information Office (SCIO) said the state will provide financial support to the construction of new school buildings in the Buddhist Academy of China and the improvement and expansion of the China Islamic Institute.

The same support will be rendered to the rebuilding and expansion of religious venues in the Tibetan-inhabited areas in Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces, the action plan said.

Financial support will also be extended to the post-earthquake rebuilding of venues for religious activities in Yushu, Qinghai Province, and to mosques damaged during natural disasters, it said.

The action plan said China upholds the principle of freedom of religious belief stipulated in the Constitution and strictly implements the Regulations on Religious Affairs to guarantee citizens' freedom of religious belief.

China protects citizens from being forced to believe in or not to believe in any religion, and from discrimination due to religious belief, it said.

The state protects normal religious activities according to law and encourages religious believers to carry out charity activities, the plan said.

The action plan also said China will improve the organization and management of, and service to pilgrimage to provide convenience and guarantee for Muslims to complete their pilgrimage smoothly.

The state will promote cultural exchanges in religion by supporting friendly exchanges between Chinese religious circles and foreign religious organizations.