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The visit has set up for the Hong Kong churches a channel for dialogue directly with the Chinese government.
3. They secured assurances that the right to strike, which is not recognised in China, will be maintained in Hong Kong..
This does not mean that doubts in Hong Kong have been stilled. People will not be surprised if pastors with outside contacts leave the territory before 1997, though those with or who obtain foreign passports may return to Hong Kong, at least for some time, to test the water. At present there is no indication that the denominational churches will be any more united.
There is so much ferment in the churches that it is difficult to discern which directions, if any, are emerging. Powerful coalitions are beginning to form, for example, a coalition between the principals of church based educational institutions who were said to be resisting the thought of modifying the school curriculum to provide for a greater "Chinese" awareness.
The Hong Kong Christian Council during recent months has been pushed into greater prominence. No other structure existed through which the churches could organise and produce the "Manifesto on Religious Freedom" or the "Considered Statement" which was read by the Delegation that went to Beijing. What this will mean for the future is not yet clear, but few would deny that
Several the Manifesto on Religious Freedom was a considerable achievement. 'evangelical' churches have joined the Council, and this has altered its balance. Denominations which have traditionally assumed a leadership role are discovering that this role is no longer unquestioned.
Philip Lam also shared with me some items of news.
China's National Day
For the Chinese National Day celebrations, the Beijing Government arranged for 200 official invitees from Hong Kong to be present in Beijing. Amongst the invitees were the Rev. Kwok Nai Wong, General Secretary of the Hong Kong Christian Council and the Rt. Rev. Peter Kwong, bishop of the Diocese of Hong Kong. The Roman Catholic bishops of Hong Kong and Macau were represented in the party by their vicars general.
Economic Development
One congregation in Liaoning Province has set up a private "Three-Self Tea company", providing employment for ten young people, and has acquired in the region a high reputation for the quality of its products, packaging and distribution. The company buys directly from producers and is said to have their confidence as well.
International Cooperation
It has now been agreed that churches and church related organisations may
The Church of Christ in China begin to receive financial help from abroad. has shared the sum of HK$5 million with the Guangzhou Christian Council, and it is thought that the Guangzhou Christian Council may use this sum to build a guest house.
The Hong Kong Christian Council had donated HK$200,000 to the Guangzhou Children's Welfare Association, a community organisation whose leaders include several members of the Guangzhou Christian Council. The project is run by women, and the leader of the Association is a well known christian and a YWCA leader.
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