Christian writer calls for universal suffrage in Hong Kong
-05/07/06
Beijing-based Chri
Christian writer calls for universal suffrage in Hong Kong
-05/07/06
Beijing-based Christian writer Yu Jie has joined a march for universal suffrage in Hong Kong and says he wishes that Chinese people might also freely exercise their right of assembly ñ writes Francis Wong for Ecumenical News International.
Organisers said about 58,000 people took to the streets on 1 July 2006 to demand universal suffrage on the ninth anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, when the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule.
Before the march, Protestants and Roman Catholic Chinese held a meeting to pray for democracy in Hong Kong, as well as religious freedom in mainland China. There, Hong Kong’s Catholic bishop, Cardinal Joseph Zen, stated: “Universal suffrage will be good for Hong Kong and for China.”
Yu Jie, who was invited to Hong Kong for a series of church activities, joined the prayer meeting.
“Universal suffrage is not only an issue for Hong Kong. It is also relevant to democratisation in mainland China.” Yu said. “It may take a long time to succeed.”
Yu, aged 33, converted to Christianity in 2003 and joined what is known as a house church, or an unofficial church not recognised by the Chinese government. He voiced his concern when home church pastors were harassed.
Among Yu’s books, Huo Yu Bing (Fire and Ice), published in 1998, had a circulation of more than 2 million copies, but was banned. To circumvent the ban in China, the books were sent to Hong Kong for publication and then brought back to China.
“The constitution of China upholds that people may enjoy the right of assembly, I wish that we may exercise this right at Tiananmen …for now I join the march in Hong Kong,” Yu told the media during his four-day visit.
Nationwide demonstrations in China in 1989 concluded with a bloody showdown at Tiananmen Square in Beijing when tanks were used in the killing of demonstrators and a new era in the suppression of dissent began in mainland China.
In June 2006, Yu had a private meeting with US President George Bush at which he asked the US leader to show more concern about religious liberty in China.
With acknowledgements to ENI. Ecumenical News International is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Conference of European Churches.
[Also on Ekklesia: Support Chinese Christians, British and Irish churches urged; Chinese churches face challenges of growth; China urged to give official recognition to Judaism; China defends new bishops against Vatican criticism; Vatican attacks state-approved Chinese bishops; China and the Vatican relations thaw again; Rice urges China to expand religious freedoms; Hong Kong churches push China on democracy; Chinese Christians released after raid on Bible school; Campaigners highlight deaths of street children at UN]
Christian writer calls for universal suffrage in Hong Kong
-05/07/06
Beijing-based Christian writer Yu Jie has joined a march for universal suffrage in Hong Kong and says he wishes that Chinese people might also freely exercise their right of assembly ñ writes Francis Wong for Ecumenical News International.
Organisers said about 58,000 people took to the streets on 1 July 2006 to demand universal suffrage on the ninth anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, when the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule.
Before the march, Protestants and Roman Catholic Chinese held a meeting to pray for democracy in Hong Kong, as well as religious freedom in mainland China. There, Hong Kong’s Catholic bishop, Cardinal Joseph Zen, stated: “Universal suffrage will be good for Hong Kong and for China.”
Yu Jie, who was invited to Hong Kong for a series of church activities, joined the prayer meeting.
“Universal suffrage is not only an issue for Hong Kong. It is also relevant to democratisation in mainland China.” Yu said. “It may take a long time to succeed.”
Yu, aged 33, converted to Christianity in 2003 and joined what is known as a house church, or an unofficial church not recognised by the Chinese government. He voiced his concern when home church pastors were harassed.
Among Yu’s books, Huo Yu Bing (Fire and Ice), published in 1998, had a circulation of more than 2 million copies, but was banned. To circumvent the ban in China, the books were sent to Hong Kong for publication and then brought back to China.
“The constitution of China upholds that people may enjoy the right of assembly, I wish that we may exercise this right at Tiananmen …for now I join the march in Hong Kong,” Yu told the media during his four-day visit.
Nationwide demonstrations in China in 1989 concluded with a bloody showdown at Tiananmen Square in Beijing when tanks were used in the killing of demonstrators and a new era in the suppression of dissent began in mainland China.
In June 2006, Yu had a private meeting with US President George Bush at which he asked the US leader to show more concern about religious liberty in China.
With acknowledgements to ENI. Ecumenical News International is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Conference of European Churches.
[Also on Ekklesia: Support Chinese Christians, British and Irish churches urged; Chinese churches face challenges of growth; China urged to give official recognition to Judaism; China defends new bishops against Vatican criticism; Vatican attacks state-approved Chinese bishops; China and the Vatican relations thaw again; Rice urges China to expand religious freedoms; Hong Kong churches push China on democracy; Chinese Christians released after raid on Bible school; Campaigners highlight deaths of street children at UN]