The eight-member delegation was hosted at lunch today by the National Council of Churches and its General Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, at the NCC's Interchurch Center headquarters. Eighteen denominational and ecumenical representatives, most of whom relate to China, along with a journalist were the NCC's lunch guests. An RAB delegation also visited the NCC in 1993. Mr. Ye said 100 million Chinese are religious, and that leaders of the five religions practiced in China meet cordially with each other and with high-level government officials. Mr. Ma Yu-Hong, a researcher in the delegation, commented on the long, deep history of religion in China.
Religion is a necessary element of development of a society.
In China, if a religion obeys the regulations of the government, it can exist in harmony with Chinese society. Dr. Campbell, in her welcome, noted that her visit to China last year has helped her know how to address issues concerning people of faith in China, particularly in her service on the National Committee on Religious Liberty, which advises the U.S State Department and the President. I believe we are responsible for helping to broaden the understanding of the people who serve on the committee. It began with a concern for the persecution of Christian. It's now concerned for the religious liberty of all persons of faith.