National CCC/TSPM Committee Unveils New Headquarters
2004.5/6.1
(ANS) Holy Trinity Church, located on Shanghai's Jiujiang Road, is a construction of significant historic importance. Built in 1869, the church was designed by well-known English architect G.G. Scott. Because of its brick colour, the church is also called "Red Church". The new headquarters of the National CCC/TSPM with a gross area of 7,000 square metres includes Holy Trinity Church, a bell tower and annexes. The Gothic-style Holy Trinity Church has been listed as a historical and cultural site under municipal government protection by the Shanghai city government.
On June 6, 2004, the National CCC/TSPM Committee held a grand unveiling ceremony of its new headquarters at 210 Jiujiang Road in Shanghai. The new office space is an annex of the Holy Trinity Church. Bishop K.H. Ting, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Honorary Chairman of the National TSPM and Honorary President of the CCC, was invited to deliver a speech on the occasion. "The relocation of the two organizations will substantially improve the working conditions for the organizations' staff members," the bishop said, adding that the move also illustrated the thorough implementation of the policy of religious freedom.
Bishop K.H. Ting also said that the Three Self principles were still being promoted by Chinese churches. Christians in China felt proud of their nation and continuously prayed for its prosperity, the bishop said. He also expressed his gratitude to the Central Government, the Shanghai Municipal Government and other departments concerned for their highly effective work in handing over the building.
Rev. Cao Shengjie, President of the China Christian Council, extended her sincere compliments to the Central Government of China and the State Council on behalf of the National CCC/TSPM Committee and all Chinese Christians. She also thanked the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Shanghai Municipal Government, the Shanghai Committee for Development and Reform, the Shanghai Committee for Ethnic and Religious Affairs, and the Shanghai Bureau of Real Estate Property and Land and Resources Management for their support and help for churches in China. She also especially mentioned the Huangpu District Government, which enabled the successful relocation of the premises through its cooperative attitude with its focus on the overall interests of all those concerned.
Rev. Cao said: "The CCC/TSPM headquarters used to be located at 169 Yuanmingyuan Road. However, the office environment became inadequate for our continuously developing Christian ministry. Today, this dream has been realized with the help of governments of all levels. The relocation of the National CCC/TSPM Committee will certainly evoke many positive reactions both at home and abroad. We hope that the new headquarters of CCC/TSPM will be a window for spreading love to society and all Chinese people. We also hope that it will be a friendly window to enable more people to witness the development of the country and the development of churches in China in accordance with the Three Self principles."
"Since the reform and opening up of China, the number of Christians in China has increased twenty to thirty-fold, the number of congregational places has reached 50,000, the number of Bibles printed has reached over 30 million, and the number of training centres of provincial and municipal level has increased to more than 50. Christians in China enjoy full freedom of religion. The relocation of CCC/TSPM can effectively refute the wanton attack of the U.S. on China's religious policy and the freedom of religion. 'Inside your temple, O God, we think of your constant love.' (Psalm 48:9) 'The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the Lord of hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the Lord of hosts. (Haggai 2:9)
The unveiling ceremony was hosted by Rev. Deng Fucun, residential Vice Chairperson of the National TSPM.
Huang Yuejin, Vice Minister of the United Front Work Department and delegate to the CPPCC, Ye Xiaowen, Director of the State Bureau of Religious Affairs, Luo Shiqian, Assistant General Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, and many other government officials were present to express their congratulations to the National CCC/TSPM Committee. More than 100 people attended the unveiling ceremony. The new office building, located in the annexes of the Holy Trinity Church complex, will start functioning once the moving has been completed, while the church and the bell tower will be opened to the public after renovation.
