From BBC News:
The Chinese rolled out the red carpet for the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Dr Rowan Williams – the leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion – arrived at churches, schools and seminaries, to be greeted with flowers, choirs and delegations of officials and church leaders.But among the ordinary people, municipal politicians, church leaders and intellectuals Dr Williams met, there were many different reasons for their interest in the visit. Firstly, Chinese people are joining churches at an unprecedented rate. Rural living standards have not improved as they have in many cities, but the all-embracing welfare of the communist era has eroded.
Another reason for the interest in Dr Williams’ visit was for the government itself – anxious about the growth of uncontrolled Christianity, and its potential to become an alternative centre of moral authority, but in need of some set of guiding principles to maintain the harmonious society it wants in the absence of communist dogma. [Full Text]
– Also Reuters’ Anglican church leader sees Christian role in China
– And CDT’s coverage on Christianity
