Churches should prepare to welcome ‘a large number’ of Hong Kong Christians fleeing China’s increasingly hardline attitude to the former colony.
That’s the message from a church leader born in Hong Kong, but now working in the UK, who has spoken to en but asked to remain anonymous for his own safety.
About 12% of Hong Kong’s population of 7,500,000 are Christians, but the Christian proportion of those leaving the city is predicted to be higher as pressure on believers there increases.
The leader – who wishes to be known simply as ‘MH’ – says: ‘We must seek to welcome them in the name of Christ, and to do what we can to help them to settle into the UK and into our church, if applicable. A few of them would suffer from post-trauma stress, and so we must be extra kind and patient towards them.’
Fear of a complete takeover
MH declares: ‘With the Chinese Government gradually tightening their control over Hong Kong, the fear within the city of a complete Chinese takeover has been escalating for a while. For many, the passing of the National Security Law in late June, unilaterally by Beijing, is the final straw. It hastens the process of immigration to countries such as the UK, where some would have the right to apply for local citizenship.
‘The National Security Law that was passed criminalises acts of secession, subversion, and collusion with foreign and external forces. Although all nations have treason laws, the increasingly arbitrary law enforcement by the government authorities is a grave cause of concern for many Hong Kong residents. Many people are worried that they could be arrested. Moreover, stories about police brutality are also being circulated widely.
Offer of UK citizenship
‘As a result of its historical links with the city, the British Government stepped in at the beginning of July to offer some Hong Kong residents – those who are entitled to a British National (Overseas) passport – a route to British citizenship. Currently, there are 300,000 such passports which are still in use, but many more are eligible, and will apply so that they might use this opportunity to migrate to the UK. Given the poor record of the Chinese Government in upholding the freedom of religion, many of those who choose to migrate to the UK would be our brothers and sisters. About 12% of Hong Kong’s population are Christians, but the Christian proportion of the migrants away from the city is likely to be higher.’
How can we help?
So how should Christians in the UK respond to the ongoing crisis in Hong Kong then? MH suggests the following:
• Acknowledge the situation’s complexity. While I am grateful for British news outlets reporting the abuse of power, the legacy of historical imperialism upon the Chinese mindset is seldom acknowledged. As a nation, China feels the humiliation by ‘Western powers’ 100 years ago very acutely, even to today. To what extent is the Western support for the Hong Kong democratic movement an expression of genuine kindness, or is it another wave of imperialism? The line is sometimes not clear, and we would do well to exercise slower judgements.
• Pray. Although the situation is complex, our God still knows the situation perfectly! More than that, He is concerned about justice and mercy for the city, as well as the wellbeing of His people in that city. Elsewhere I have suggested some prayer points for Hong Kong, so please join me in praying.
• Look after your immediate Hong Kong friends. If you know someone from Hong Kong, do check on them and listen to what they want to say. Few Hong Kongers would be entirely unaffected by the events, and so your friend would probably appreciate a pair of sympathetic, listening ears. If you are a local church minister, do consider getting in touch with the pastor from your local Chinese churches or fellowships: they are probably overwhelmed too.
• Welcome Hong Kongers to your church. A large number of people will migrate to the UK in the next few years, and we would very likely bump into a Hong Kong immigrant soon. We must therefore seek to welcome them in the name of Christ, and to do what we can to help them to settle into the UK and into our church (if applicable). A few of them would suffer from post-trauma stress, and so we must be extra kind and patient towards them.
