On the morning of June 12, 2023, Rev. Shan Weixiang, Vice President and General Secretary of CCC, received Mr. Aldrin Bogi, Director of Biblica in Asia Pacific region, and Mr. Liu Ping, Chinese Liaison Officer and Translation Consultant. The two sides had an in-depth exchange and discussion on how to better promote the Bible ministry and foster cooperation in the circumstances where paper media is facing several challenges.

Rev. Shan Weixiang said that CCC&TSPM has attached great importance to the publication and distribution of bibles for a long time. So far, we have published over 100 translation versions and editions of bibles, with a total amount of exceeding 89,000,000 copies. Many of them were collaboratively published by CCC&TSPM and Biblica, including the New International Version (NIV), the Devotional Version, the Contemporary Chinese Version, and the Revised Contemporary Chinese Version (2022 edition) will be coming out soon. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the collaboration.

Rev. Shan also introduced the Church in China’s ongoing work on promoting the Chinanization of Christianity. He emphasized that the Bible ministry of the Church in China can reflect the spirit of the Chinanization. It not only allows people to read and understand the Bible from a Chinese perspective, but also lets the faithful translation meet the contemporary and contextual needs in Bible interpretation ministry, which truly fits the spiritual needs of Chinese believers.

Both sides recalled the long-standing friendship between CCC&TSPM and Biblica, and they also referred the various challenges and difficulties that are currently facing. With the full respect of the Church in China, Mr. Bogi expressed the willingness to continue strengthening the cooperation in Bible ministry. He also extended an invitation to Rev. Shan and other CCC&TSPM staff to revisit Biblica headquarters.

Ms. Chen Hongli, team leader of Publication and Distribution of the Media Department, introduced the current situation of Bible publishing in China. Ms. Shi Meiying from the Overseas Relations Department also participated in the reception.

Formerly known as the International Bible Society and established in 1809, Biblica is committed to Bible translation and other ministries. It owns the global copyright of the New International Version (NIV).

Translated and edited by Bei Feng.