The Beijing Christian Council is to build two more Christian churches in the Chinese capital, a priest of the council announced Tuesday morning.

Priest Yu Xinli said that the new churches will be established in the districts of Chaoyang and Fengtai in Beijing to meet the demand of local Christians and believers. Each of the churches will cover roughly 2,000 sq. meters.

The construction plan has received approval from the municipal government at the end of last year.

The priest said that people from the religion circle, local Christians and believers are very pleased to see the establishment. It will be more convenient for the local Christians and believers to participate in Christian rituals and activities upon completion of the two churches. 

Lots of church property in the city were face-lifted or rebuilt in the past few years. Many of the buildings are cultural relics which have gained financial support from the cultural relics administration for their protection and maintenance.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2004)