The Church of England has established a recent body aimed toward welcoming Hong Kongers into its fold after a surge in arrivals in the previous couple of years.
Following the establishment of a controversial National Security Law on Hong Kong by the Chinese government in 2020, the variety of Hong Kongers living in Britain has doubled from around 135,000 in 2021, to almost 300,000 in 2024.
The British government allowed Hong Kongers unhappy with China’s more restrictive laws to maneuver to Britain via what’s often called the BNO route – British National (Overseas).
This week the Church of England’s recent steering board, Hong Kongers within the Church of England, held its first meeting. Also attending were representatives of the Church’s Racial Justice Unit, the Diocese of Oxford and the so-called “Teahouse” group representing clergy with a Chinese background.
According to the Church, the last five years has seen an “unprecedented” growth in churches which have engaged with Christians from Hong Kong.
As an example, the Church pointed to a partnership between one its parishes in Reading with a Methodist and United Reformed Church. Collectively the churches are often called Trinity. They began working with Hong Kong Christians, launching a weekly Cantonese service, and saw their numbers go from 150 to 650. A recent church was planted to satisfy demand and already 4 more church plants are within the works.
The Vicar of Trinity, the Rev Canon Jon Salmon, said, “We’re trying not only to offer a warm welcome but to encourage our recent Hong Kong brothers and sisters to feel they belong, and to feel they’ve a secure space to integrate and get to know one another. It’s a humbling and amazing privilege.”
The Rev Mark Nam, founding father of the Teahouse group and a vicar within the Diocese of Oxford, said “Hong Kong has an extended and well-established relationship with the Church of England, so it’s only right that we respond well to sisters and brothers in Christ who at the moment are making their home within the UK.
“I’m encouraged by how much good work is already under way—sharing the hope of the gospel and bearing witness to God’s love for all.”
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