On the afternoon of March 14, 2023, a thirteen-person delegation from the Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union (HKCCCU) visited CCC&TSPSM. Rev. Xu Xiaohong, Chairperson of National TSPM, extended warm welcome towards the guests on behalf of CCC&TSPM. Rev. Xu said that this has been the first and significant time that CCC&TSPM received a delegation since the COVID-19 broke out more than three years ago.

The two sides reminisced about the cooperation and friendship with mutual support before and during the pandemic, expressing the gratitude for reuniting again in the Lord.

Residential Vice President of CCC Rev. Shen Xuebin moderated the meeting, during which the two sides had an exchange over their challenges in the course of church shepherding in the post-pandemic era, as well as the ways to deepen cooperation. In response to what the delegates concerned for, Rev. Xu Xiaohong and Rev. Shen Xuebin respectively elaborated on the connotations of the Chinanization of Christianity and the newly-revised Regulations on Religious Affairs. Rev. Xu explained the origins of the Chinanization of Christianity, and then shared the future plan for the next five years regarding how to promote this work in a further and more solid manner.

Rev. Xu said that, on the premise of the unwavering faith in God, the Chinanization of Christianity is with the guidance of the core socialist values and infused with excellent traditional Chinese culture. It also takes active actions in making Christianity compatible with socialist society and the socialism with Chinese characteristic in the new age alike. The Chinanization of Christianity is contemporary, leading and cultural; and fits into the era and corresponds with Chinese culture. With the use of the new concept, it can “give their food in due season”, allowing Christianity to grow root, sprout and bear fruit in the soil of Chinese culture, telling good stories of Chinese Christians, and making Christianity a blessing to the country.

Rev. Chan Tak Cheong, Chairperson of HKCCCU, expressed gratitude to the warm reception from CCC&TSPM and invited the staff of CCC&TSPM to visit Hong Kong churches. As a non-denominational Christian organization with a membership system, HKCCCU serves as a widely representative body of Hong Kong churches, as well as an avid action taker in church ministries, social services and so forth. This visit will take the cooperation between churches in both Hong Kong and the mainland of China to the next level.

Ms. Gu Jingqin, interim chief of CCC&TSPM’s Overseas Relations Department, and other staff partook in this reception.

Translated and edited by Bei Feng, Tian Tian.