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Council came to visit Hong Kong. They were led by the newly Wan and Ngau Tau Kok have been set up, mainly for
elected leaders, Presbyter Ji Jian-hong, Chairman of the Indonesian and South-Asia helpers. At the opening
National Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant ceremonies, there were representatives from the above
Churches in China, and Rev. Cao Sheng-jie, President of the organizations and other Churches, as well as the Consul
China Christian Council. The visitation was a special one General of Indonesia and representatives from the Social
because they chose Hong Kong as the first place for an official Welfare Department and Home Affairs Bureau.
visit after their election in the May 2002 General Assembly. Surely God calls us not only to serve those who are

This indicated the close relationship of the Churches of Hong citizens of Hong Kong, but also to care for those who are
Kong and the Churches of Mainland China. living away from their homeland. We hope more and more
Another notable aspect is that the Council invited the Churches will join us so that one day Hong Kong will become
Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union to jointly host a truly compassionate city.
the visitation of our Chinese brothers and sisters. That set
2. Article No. 23 of the Basic Law
a good example of the ecumenical spirit for the Churches in
Confrontation and conflict were aroused in the society
Hong Kong.
when the SAR Government threw out a consultation paper
on the Implementation of Article No. 23 of the Basic Law to
the public last year. Opposing ideas have been voiced from
Christians, lawyers, politicians, journalists and social
A An open seminar
was held during the
commentators towards the authority.
visita tio n o f the
Delegation o f China As salt and light of the world, the Church has to
Christian Council.
express its view and position. After two internal seminars in
which experts were invited to present their thoughts, the
Council issued an open response in its December 2002
meeting. The response also gave substantial comments
and concrete proposals regarding various items.
After the July 1 mass demonstration, the Council
issued an open letter addressing the critical situation,
organized a prayer vigil and sent a message to the Chief
Executive to express our expectation on dialogue and
sincere communication.
Members o f the delegation
3. Hong Kong - Mainland Communication
Mutual visits between Hong Kong and Mainland
China under the Council's sponsorship have been well-
► Rev. C ao Sheng-jie
(right) and Presbyter J i established. Last year we received a 10-person delegation
Jian-hong (2nd from left)
presented the souvenirs of the State Administration for Religious Affairs and an 8-
to HKCC.
person delegation of the Hunan Christian Council, the first
delegation from Hunan province to visit Hong Kong
Special Ministries Churches. Our committees also organized visits to Nanjing
1. Shelters for Domestic Helpers and Shanghai and Hainan Province respectively.

Through the efforts of a partnership including the Through visitations, we certainly make new friends
Church of Christ in China, Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong, and enhance the understanding of each other. But more
Christian Action and the Council, two shelters in To Kwa importantly, eventually the result will be changes and reforms

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