Tag: Beijing

50,000 Catholics baptised in China in 2017

February 28, 2018 China Baptism, Beijing, Catholics, China, Hainan, Hebei, Minorities, Tibet, Xinjiang

Almost 50,000 Catholic baptisms were recorded in mainland China last year, reports Catholic news agency Fides. The 48,556 recorded baptisms “reflect the vitality and the missionary dynamism of a community that fully lives faith”, Fides said, adding that the actual number of people baptised may be even higher, because of . . . Read More

German ambassador makes rare criticism of China over religious freedom

June 28, 2017 China Beijing, Catholics, China, Churches, Crosses, Education, House churches, Peter Shao Zhumin, Religious freedom, Wenzhou, Zhejiang

The German ambassador to China has made an official request that the Beijing government release Peter Shao Zhumin, the bishop of Wenzhou, reports Asia News. It is thought to be the first request of this kind made to China in 10 years. In his official statement on his embassy’s website . . . Read More

China jails church leader for ‘subversion’

August 3, 2016 China Beijing, China

Chinese authorities have jailed long-time activist Hu Shigen, among hundreds of lawyers and activists arrested since 9 July last year: the date prompted the group to become known as ‘709’ . Hu, an elder of an “unregistered” Protestant church in Beijing, pleaded guilty in Tianjin (60 miles southeast of Beijing) to . . . Read More

Hong Kong Christians oppose Beijing’s policy

April 26, 2016 China Beijing, China, Hong Kong, Xi Jinping

Christians in Hong Kong protested outside Beijing’s liaison office there Sunday, urging the Chinese authorities to respect religious freedoms following President Xi Jinping’s recent insistence that religious groups ‘devote themselves’ to his reforms, . Cardinal Joseph Zen Zekiun, the former Bishop of Hong Kong, joined about 50 protestors at the . . . Read More

Pope advised to stay away from China

November 28, 2014 China Beijing, China, Hong Kong, Pope Francis

The former bishop of Hong Kong has said he would advise the Pope against visiting China for fear that a papal trip could end up being manipulated by Beijing. Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun was speaking to the catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need about persecution of Christians in China, which he . . . Read More

Chinese church protests against arrest of 23 members

December 3, 2013 China Beijing, Henan, Nanle, Three-Self Patriotic Movement, Zhang Shaojie

House church’ in Henan province, pictured in late 1980s/early 1990s.Open Doors International A church in eastern China has written a letter to the Chinese government, demanding permission to stage a protest against the detention of 23 members of its congregation. The Nanle County Church in Puyang, Henan province, which . . . Read More

China asks Church for help with social care

November 11, 2013 China Beijing, Corruption, Shanghai, Sichuan

China is facing a social care crisis, particularly in caring for an increasingly elderly population.Richard Asia / Flickr / Creative Commons The Chinese government has welcomed the role of the Church in providing social care in the country. China’s leaders have been holding a meeting this week in Beijing . . . Read More

Anniversary China’s chance to change

June 6, 2013 China Beijing, China, Gao Zhisheng

Twenty-four years on from the massacre in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, Christian Solidarity Worldwide has spoken out against the on-going detention of several Chinese activists, including Christian rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng.

Christians consider China’s leadership change: Q&A with Brent Fulton

November 16, 2012 China Beijing, China, Communism, Mao Zedong, Shouwang Church, Sichuan, Xi Jinping

China introduced its new Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party to its people and the world Thursday. The seven-man team sits at the very top of the government that will run the world’s most populous country for the next 10 years. The team is the . . . Read More

Church in China to end outdoor services; Gao Zhisheng alive

December 23, 2011 China Beijing, China, Gao Zhisheng, Shouwang Church

Key issues in Chinese religious rights are taking a pivotal turn at year’s end as the beleaguered Shouwang house church in Beijing will celebrate its last outdoor service on Christmas Day, and “disappeared” human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng has ostensibly resurfaced – in an undisclosed prison. Denied access to a . . . Read More

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