The official Protestant Church of the mainland is staging an exhibition in Hong Kong on religious freedom in a bid to counter negative publicity over its record.
The five-day event starts on August 6 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. It will feature more than 20 national treasures, including a large wooden carving, 'The Life of Jesus', and the sale of a historic New Testament.
Also on display will be handcrafts, precious artwork, paper-cuts and micro-carving. The programme will feature video shows and a sacred music concert by Chinese ethnic groups.
The exhibition is being organised by the Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee of the Protestant Churches in China and the China Christian Council.
One of its purposes was to refute 'the attacks and outrageous distortion from overseas [of religious worship in China]', the committee's deputy president, Deng Fucun, said yesterday.
It would also provide witness to 'the blessings and guidance of the Lord and the Bible on the ministry of the churches in China'.