WCC NEWS: WCC executive committee opens in Hangzhou, China

The World Council of Churches (WCC) opened its executive committee meeting in Hangzhou, China on 20 November, embarking on both a business agenda and a pilgrimage encounter with the people and churches in China, exploring the theme of “Christ, culture, and context.”  Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary speaks at the opening ceremony on the WCC executive committee meeting in Hangzhou, China on 20 November. Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/WCC 20 November 2025 The opening ceremony was moderated by Rev. Dr Lin Manhong, residential vice president and general secretary of the China Christian Council; and Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary. Wang Wenxu, director of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee offered a welcoming address, followed by an address from Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairperson of the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Church in China.  Imam Yang Faming, president of the China Islamic Association, also offered remarks. Rev. Wu Wei, president of the China Christian Council, presented a special Nicaea 1700th anniversary Bible to the WCC. Duan Yijun, vice minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, and director general of the National Religious Affairs Administration, welcomed the WCC to China as a sign of strong, healthy and steadfast relations. ln his address, Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, expressed admiration for the sense of church unity he has witnessed in China.  “The churches in China understand themselves primarily as Christian, not only in their wording but also in their action,” he said. “We have come to China to listen and to learn and to discern.” Vibrant church in China welcomes WCC leaders (WCC news release, 20 November 2025) WCC shares congratulations on Amity Foundation’s 40th anniversary (WCC news release, 18 November 2025) WCC executive committee to convene in China with “Christ, culture, and context” (WCC news release, 14 November 2025) Photo gallery: WCC executive committee meeting in China See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland