The Archbishop will be visiting the country at the joint invitation of the China State Administration for Religious Affairs and the state sponsored China Christian Council/Three-Self Patriotic Association of the Protestant Churches in China

The Archbishop will be visiting the country 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.

In Beijing the Archbishop will meet with a senior member of the Chinese government, give a lecture at Beijing University on religion and business ethics, and meet with national religious leaders.

In Shanghai he will preach at Muen Church, visit St Ignatius Catholic Cathedral, tour the Wai Gao Qiao clean power station and visit the Jade Buddhist Temple.

In the eastern city of Nanjing the Archbishop will visit an autism centre run the Amity Foundation, a major charity founded by Chinese Christians.

While in Nanjing he will give a lecture on leadership in the church at Nanjing Jinling Union Seminary. He will also visit Hongen Church in Hongzhe and its home for the elderly.

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.”