c. 1977 Religion News Service
HONG KONG _ At midnight on June 30, when Great Britain’s colonial lease on Hong Kong expires, fireworks will light the sky above Victoria Harbor in a quintessentially Chinese celebration. But as the countdown begins for return to Chinese sovereignty, churches in the territory are launching special prayer campaigns in their own quintessential acknowledgment of the event.
On Sunday (June 15), the mainline Protestant Hong Kong Christian Council (HKCC) will begin a 30-day “international prayer chain” on behalf of the territory and its upcoming transition.
“Our ecumenical partners around the world are asked to remember Hong Kong specifically in the period from June 15, 1997 to July 15, 1997,” said a statement released by the HKCC. “Pray that the church will steadfastly stand with the people of Hong Kong to give them courage and hope during this time of transition of sovereignty.”
The council also asked for prayers that the number of Christians in Hong Kong will continue to grow and be “well-equipped to face the new challenges and demands as citizens” and able to “continue to spread the Gospel without interference and undue restriction.”
On July 1, Hong Kong will officially become a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China. The 1984 Joint Declaration worked out between Great Britain and China for the transfer of Hong Kong established the policy of “one country, two systems,” meaning that while Hong Kong is officially part of China, the territory will have a “high degree of autonomy, except for foreign affairs and defense.”
China has promised not to change Hong Kong’s political and economic way of life for at least the next 50 years.
Article 141 of the Basic Law, the mini-constitution that will govern Hong Kong after the transfer, definitively states the new SAR government “shall not restrict the freedom of religious belief, interfere in the internal affairs of religious organizations or restrict religious activities which do not contravene the laws of the Region.”
The Basic Law also stipulates that church and state relations be guided by three principles: mutual respect, mutual non-interference and mutual non-subordination.
“If that is implemented, then I don’t see that there should be much problem in the future in Hong Kong,” said the Rev. Tso Man-king, general secretary of the HKCC.
Publicly, religious leaders of all faiths have praised the Basic Law. But privately, many also admit the crucial test will be how Beijing interprets and implements the provisions.
The future SAR government already has announced plans to place new restrictions on some civil liberties, such as public demonstrations.
The HKCC has asked for international prayers that the process of democratization will continue in Hong Kong after July 1 and that the territory will “continue to enjoy the freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and in the Basic Law, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association and assembly, academic freedom and freedom of conscience and religion.”
The HKCC’s members include 20 mostly mainline Protestant denominations and eight parachurch organizations, such as the Hong Kong Bible Society, the Chinese Christian Literature Council and the YMCA.
Evangelical churches in the territory are also deeply involved in the prayer effort.
The evangelical Chinese Christian Churches’ Union has joined with the HKCC in proclaiming July 6 as “Hong Kong Sunday,” a special time of prayer and celebration.
“Although I am not completely sure about (what will happen in the future), we believe our Lord is still in control of history, and therefore we ask the people to pray,” said the Rev. Stephen C.K. Liu, chairman of the Chinese Christian Churches Union.
Many evangelical churches have been conducting evangelistic meetings in the days leading up to the handover.
“Although the political situation is changing, God is still in control and … we believe that we will have more opportunities, and greater channels will be open to us to serve the Lord,” said the Rev. John Ip, pastor of the First Assembly of God Church in Kowloon.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong has planned a special Mass for July 1, that will be concelebrated by Cardinal John Baptist Wu and his two auxiliary bishops at the historic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Similar masses will be held in all Hong Kong parishes.
“We will be praying and asking God’s blessing for this historical moment,” said Mary Seung, director of the Catholic Social Communications Office at the Hong Kong Diocese Center.
Meanwhile, the Lutheran World Federation is gearing up for its Ninth International Assembly, which will be held from July 8 – 16 in Hong Kong. The meeting will be among the first international gatherings in the new SAR.
Initially, Chinese officials had balked at the meeting, citing concerns about the timing. But tensions were eased after a series of discussions between church leaders and Chinese government officials.
DEA END LAWTON
