|TOP|HONG KONG – Overshadowed by speculations over the reasons behind the cancellation of two Chinese Christian activists’ academic visit, Hong Kong’s leading seminary released an official statement to explain its decision.

The statement, written in Chinese, was posted up on May 19, on the main page of the China Graduate School of Theology (CGST) website with the title "Reasons for the Cancellation of Yu Jie’s Visit." It mainly stressed that the seminary is not under any political pressure or self-censorship, as many people may have suspected.

Rather, CGST claimed in the statement, "The seminary is concerned that if Yu Jie and his friends come to Hong Kong at this time, they will draw a huge attention from the mass media and that may disturb the learning atmosphere. Therefore, the seminary has decided to cancel the visit this time."

According to a previous report by Radio Free Asia, the director of Chinese Culture Research Center of CGST Dr. Yeung Hing-kau claimed that the visit is supposed to be merely an academic exchange activity. Denying that the invitation cancellation was due to any political factor, he said that the school had already made an apology to Yu Jie and compensated all losses of the two guests caused by the cancellation.

In the statement on the website, the seminary once again apologised to Yu Jie if the incident had caused any damage to him and his friends. CGST also said it cherishes the fellowship in Christ between the seminary and these dear friends from China.

|AD|Yu Jie, Li Boguang and Zhang Qianjin were the three scholars invited by CGST to participate in a study program in Hong Kong on June 11-24. Both Yu and Li were involved in the high-profile meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush in the White House on May 11 to discuss religious freedom in China. The meeting was considered as an unprecedented encounter between Bush and Chinese house church Christians since the Community Party took over China in 1949.

On May 12, CGST sent an email undersigned by the Acting Director of Chinese Culture Research Center of CGST Dr. Kevin Xi Yi Yao, stating that it is now not "an appropriate time" to invite them to come to Hong Kong in the light of "certain international issue that has raised widespread concern."

Both Yu and Li were disappointed with the seminary and demanded an apology and compensation. CGST was also criticised by the media, theologians and politicians for being affected by political pressure and its self-censorship.

The seminary has continually refused to give a clear reason for the cancellation of the visit and only commented that "the issue is over." The statement issued this time is the first official response to the public.




[Editor's Note: Claudia Cheng reported from Hong Kong for this article]






Claudia Cheng
Christian Today Correspondent