On November 23rd, Li Zhaoxing, chairman of the China Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC), met with a delegation of Christians from the U.S. led by Henry Holley, vice-president of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Vice-chairman Li Zhaoxing said that the BGEA is an internationally influential religious charity in the U.S. and the world. Mr. and Mrs. Graham are old friends of the Chinese people. The BGEA has carried out charity activities in China for a long term and provided a large number of relief supplies for the affected people in Sichuan immediately after the big earthquake. Its kindness will always be remembered by the Chinese people.
Chairman Li pointed out that the Chinese and the Western cultures have much in common. The patience, tolerance, law observance and many other thoughts advocated by the Christianity are consistent with many ideas in the Chinese culture. Worship of harmony is the common trait of both the Chinese and the Western cultures. If everyone believes in these principles and ideas, the world will be a more harmonious and better place.
Chairman Li said that the CAIFC maintains close exchanges and profound relationships with the BGEA as well as other many religious charities in the U.S. It is willing to strengthen cooperation with the American side in do more practical work to promote the Sino-US cultural exchanges and friendship.
The U.S. guests thanked the CAIFC for providing enthusiastic help and support for the American religious charity groups in carrying out activities in China over the years. They said that they are willing to work with the CAIFC and make more efforts to promote understanding and friendship between the Chinese and American people.
The delegation of Christians from the U.S. was composed of well-known Christian figures from more than ten states in the U.S. They came to Beijing after attending the “Sino-US Christian Leaders Forum” in Shanghai.
A photo of Chairman Li with the American guests
