The Archbishop of Canterbury will visit China on 27 May to 5 June 2015 at the joint invitation of the China State Administration for Religious Affairs and the China Christian Council

The Archbishop of Canterbury will visit China on 27 May to 5 June 2015 at the joint invitation of SARA (China State Administration for Religious Affairs) and CCC/TSPM (China Christian Council/National Committee of Three-Self Patriotic Association of the Protestant Churches in China).

The purpose of the visit is to build on existing friendly relations with the Christian Church in China, and to meet and learn about faith communities and their role in the major economic and social developments in the country.

The programme, which is still being planned, will include visits to Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing.

Archbishop Justin Welby said: “I am very much looking forward to my first visit to China, and seeing the remarkable economic developments and rapid growth of post-denominational Christianity which is taking place there.

“I look forward to building on the friendship with the Christian church in China established by my three predecessors, as well as meeting representatives of other faiths.”