ACI Prensa Staff, Apr 18, 2023 / 13:00 pm
Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong arrived yesterday in Beijing, the capital of China, on a historic trip — the first of its kind in almost 30 years — and amid some tensions between the Asian giant and the Vatican.
Chow was appointed bishop of Hong Kong by Pope Francis in May 2021 and received episcopal consecration in December of that year.
The 63-year-old Jesuit prelate, who was invited by the local diocese and who will be in Beijing for five days, has previously pointed out the importance of the Church in Hong Kong being a bridge between China and the island.
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. Its citizens have historically enjoyed freedom of worship, while in mainland China there is a long history of persecution against Christians who defy the communist government.