Beijing to inject 30m yuan for the construction of two new Christian churches in Chaoyang and Fengtai districts respectively, with each able to hold 2000 people. Now an address has been selected in Chaoyang district.

The news was revealed by Li Baoqun, director of Beijing Religious Affairs Office, to members of Hong Kong and Macao of the Municipal People's Congress of Beijing who were making an inspection tour May 16.

Bishop Fu Tieshan, chairman of Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, who was also present, made a briefing on repairing work of Beijing's Catholic churches in recent two years.

Last year Beijing put in 1.2m yuan to repair the Xuanwumen Catholic Church and 15m yuan to set up a theological seminary. This year 3m yuan will be earmarked to rebuild the Catholic church in Taijichang. Two churches in Changxindian and Changping will also be renovated.

Now Beijing has over hundred places for religious activities, 463 religious professionals and 500,000 religion believers.

The professionals are also of younger age than before, with over 70 percent having college education.

The Congress members also inspected BJ Christian Church Chongwen Branch, St Resurrection Jesus Church, Niujie Mosque, Beijing Baiyun Guan (The White Cloud Taoist Temple) and Guanghua Temple.

(People's Daily 05/18/2001)