Book now for theChina Conference to be held from Friday 11th June - Sunday 13th June 2010!   The theme of this year's conference is 'Building and Re-building Communities' and the event will be held at High Leigh Conference Centre, nr Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.    Speakers will include Gong Sheng, an Amity staff member who has been closely involved with reconstruction projects in Sichuan province since the 2008 earthquake, Wang Baocheng from the China Christian Council's Social Service Department and Charles Woodd from the UK Department of Communities and Local Government.  Workshops, performance and more!    For further details and application form click here.

'Round Table' day event on Chinese students in UK

At the end of April 2010, FCC and the CTBI China Desk co-hosted a Round Table focussing on the practical and pastoral needs of mainland Chinese students here in UK.  Over 20 people gathered together to start a conversation on this theme – exchanging ideas, experiences and concerns.   A range of groups were represented, including chaplains, Chinese congregations and organisations working in this field. The event brought together people who had not previously been in contact and many participants expressed their appreciation of such an opportunity.

Six short presentations, from a wide variety of perspectives, were designed to get participants thinking about a range of issues, including cultural and philosophical differences between Chinese and Western culture and some of the common characteristics of Chinese students.   There was a valuable analysis of the different types of Chinese students now in UK and an introduction to counselling and mentoring services, as well as other support services.  Two students shared their experiences of coming to study in UK.

Small groups spent time in discussion, considering questions such as: contacting Chinese students on arrival; possible introduction packs; equipping chaplaincies and local churches to respond appropriately; helping students prepare for return to China.    It was agreed that following this event, an informal network would be established and a list of resources prepared.

Amity Summer English Programme

This year, FCC will send two teams to join Amity's Summer English Programme (SEP) - an opportunity to spend a month in China, engaging with Chinese teachers who want to improve their spoken English.   It is now too late to join this year's teams, but if you are interested in being involved next year, go to the China Opportunities page, where you will also find a report of last year's placement in Guangxi province.

Celebrating 25 years!

2009 saw FCC celebrating its 25th anniversary – an exciting quarter-century since 1984 of developing partnerships with Christians in China!  We started with a Chinese New Year celebration at the Chinese Centre, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, when an informative and inspiring range of new resources produced by FCC and the China Desk of ‘Churches Together in Britain and Ireland’ were launched.    At the end of November, we were back at the Chinese Centre for our Annual Meeting, which was also a celebration of our 25th anniversary.

Annual Meeting - 28th November 2009:Celebration, Cake and Calligraphy!

More than 50 friends old and new gathered for the Annual Meeting and enjoyed time to catch up and exchange ideas.   After an introduction to the work of the Chinese Centre, the morning’s business session included reports, with Chairperson Simon Brown referring to our urgent need to draw in new members in his overview entitled ‘Celebration and Concern’.   The Development Project report covered some of the year’s activities and gave an opportunity to discuss proposed future strategies for work:  it is planned to set up five new Task Groups (Communications, Events/Activities, China Opportunities, Relationships and Resources) to involve more members in the coordination of the various areas of FCC’s regular activity.    2009 was also a year in which our China connections were strengthened through visits in both directions.

The afternoon began with reports from the Summer English Programme and the recent Study Visit,  after which Professor Peter Nolan of the Chinese Big Business School in Cambridge, and a leading authority on the Chinese economy, gave an energetic and stimulating presentation on ‘China and the Global Economy: the past 30 years’.     This introduced us to the economic context in China over the period in which FCC has operated, the choices which China faces, and noted issues of equality, ethics and environment.   Professor Nolan’s themes drew on his recent book ‘Crossroads: the End of Wild Capitalism and the Future of Humanity’ ((published by Marshall Cavendish 2009).

The day’s event concluded with a worship-cum-celebration for the 25th anniversary, in which all past Chairpersons, as well as the current one, took part.    First Chairperson George Hood contributed some recollections of FCC’s beginnings, and greetings from colleagues and friends were shared.   Edmond Tang had marked the occasion with beautiful calligraphy and there was a display of FCC’s early days and activities over the 25 years.  Tea and celebration cake rounded off a very positive day!

                               Ms Ling with Rachel Parry of USPG

Amity Staff Member language training

Ms Ling Chunxiang, who heads up the Administration Team at the Amity Foundation in Nanjing, was in UK for three months from April - July 2009 undertaking advanced English language studies in London, sponsored by FCC.   Based in London with FCC members, Ms Ling attended a college course and received individual language tuition.  In addition, she had a programme of weekend visits to FCC members in various parts of the country, as well as making a number of professionally-related visits to organisations and institutions - a real immersion experience!   We have been delighted to welcome her here and in this way assist Amity with staff capacity-building.

Study Visit to China 

A Study Visit group travelled in China during October 2009, visiting national and local church leaders and communities, as well as local social welfare and development projects in a variety of places. Beginning their itinerary in Shanghai, the group then visited Hangzhou and Nanjing, went into Henan and Hunan provinces to visit rural projects, and ended the trip in Guangzhou and Hong Kong.    For more details of Study Visits, see ‘China Opportunities’ page.

Amity Round Table Meeting & Sichuan Exposure Visit

FCC was recently represented for the first time at an Amity Round Table Meeting - a biennial gathering through which Amity's international partners share updates on Amity's work, discuss priorities for future projects and exchange ideas.  The meeting, held in Nanjing during October 2009, took place in Amity's new office building - recently completed on land immediately behind the original building.   Reports from the Amity Nanjing and Hong Kong offices gave updates on current work and a most interesting overview of the situation for NGOs in China was given by a professor from Tsinghua University.    A 3-year staff capacity-building proposal is to be put in motion for 2010 -13 and FCC will be discussing its response.

Following the Nanjing meeting,   Amity had created an opportunity for Round Table members to make a  2-day visit to Sichuan province to see earthquake rehabilitation projects.   The experience, as anticipated, proved informative, interesting and deeply moving.  After an introduction to the range of projects, we visited the church at Mianzhu, where the capable young female pastor told us about how the earthquake had affected the community, about the temporary church and its activities, and the plans for a new church building.   The whole day spent in the area which Amity has focussed on began in Hanwang, a town devastated by the earthquake and where a whole area has been retained as it was, as a memorial to the tragic event.   Walking through the silent streets made a deep impact on us.    We then visited the local school, currently in temporary buildings, before going on to Woyun village - where we met local villagers, saw  the reconstructed houses and talked with the young Amity staff who have been living in the village for months.     The reconstruction was very impressive - but equally heartening was the community spirit, which Amity has nurtured and the villagers talk about - and which was well displayed in the grand gathering and performance in which we shared with hundreds of locals!   This was an experience which demonstrated not only the positive results of Amity's projects, but the ongoing legacy of Amity's spirit.  

                                                                                   Woyun village celebrates reconstruction!