Chinese government sacks official for 'casting spells'

[guohua]

Mercy!!    

It's a good thing I didn't choose to reincarnate into China; they would be burning me at the stake.  

No My dear Mystic Wanderer, China doesn't do that.
In the Rural areas and in the older parts of the cities, Wicca, Pagan or Witches are better known by the Old religion called Taoist, they are often paid to cast spell are very common.
Here is an interesting article or Blog for you: Link

Left image of pagan Wheel of the Year from Biblical Connection.
Right image of a Taoist Fu sigil.

Replace a few specifics from the previous paragraph and you could apply it to the relationship between Confucianism (and to a great extent Buddhism) and Chinese folk religions. These folk religions were looked upon in the same way pagan faiths were looked upon by the Christians. Those who practice pagan/neo-pagan religions (like Wicca, Druidism, Heathenry, or some form of pagan reconstructionism) tend to keep their faiths concealed or strictly private. That’s less of an issue among those who practice Chinese folk religions, and so you’ll see altars set up in Chinese businesses that still pay homage to the faiths of their [often agricultural] ancestors. However, like what pagans experience, those who still practice Chinese folk religions are considered fringe.
Source

Here is a web-site for Chinese pagan's, Wicca's and Witches. Source
I hope this helps. 

But Not in the Central Government, No the Party does not accept any form of religion and that is considered a form of worship.
This Blog i think would be a Very Interesting read for you. Link