(14/01/2008) The new leaders of the Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) and the China Christian Council (CCC) have been elected on January, 12, at the 8th National Conference of both organisations in Beijing.

Rev. Gao Feng is now the President of the China Christian Council and Elder Fu Xianwei, from Shanghai, is now the Chair of the National Committee of the Three Self Patriotic Movement. Rev. Kan Baoping has been chosen as the General Secretary of the CCC and Rev. Xu Xiaohong will be the General Secretary of the TSPM.  It marks the passing of the torch to a new generation of leaders whose average age is around 50. More than half of the new leaders are in their 40s and 50s.There were 6 Vice-Presidents elected to the CCC and 6 Vice-Chairs to the TSPM.

The  National Conference which is convened every five years brought together hundreds of delegates from all over China. Among the 181 representatives elected to the new conference, 84 were chosen to be on the Standing Committee of the National Conference of the TSPM/CCC.  The conference marked the passing of the torch to a new generation of leaders whose average age is about 50years.

Among the several new Vice-Presidents of the CCC were: Rev. Lu Dezhi, Rev. Fan Chengzu, Rev. Lin Zhihua, Rev. Ni Guangdao, Rev. Gao Ying and Rev. Tang Weimin. Elder Fu Xianwei from Shanghai was elected Chair of the National Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM). The following became Vice-Chairs of the TSPM: Rev.Yu Xinli, Rev. An Xinyi, Rev. Yu Wenliang, Rev. Shen Xuebin, Mr. Chen Shunpeng and Ms. Jin Wei. Rev. Xu Xiaohong was elected General Secretary of the TSPM while Rev. Kan Baoping will be the General Secretary of the CCC. Mr. Luo Guanzhong became the Honorary Chair of the Advisory Committee to the TSPM/CCC while Presbyter Ji Jianhong and Rev. Cao Shengjie became the Co-Chairs. Bishop K.H.Ting remained the Honorary President and Honorary Chair of the TSPM and CCC respectively.

During the conference which began in Beijing on January 9th, delegates gathered to discuss key concerns of the Protestant Churches in China. They heard the work reports of the 7th National Conference of the TSPM and the 5th National Conference of the CCC. Amendments were made to the TSPM/CCC constitutions.

They accepted proposals to support the 2008 Beijing Olympics and recommendations on how Chinese Christians can make contributions to the economic and social development of the country.