The World Council of Churches (WCC) will step up cooperation with the Chinese government and the China Christian Council (CCC) in helping develop Christianity in China.

The Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, who was elected general secretary of the WCC in 2003, made this pledge on Tuesday while commenting on his findings about the state of Christianity in China.

Kobia arrived in China on November 15 at the joint invitation of WCC member churches in China and the CCC.

Heading a seven-member delegation, Kobia vowed to gain a better understanding of the church and society, the changing landscape of Christianity and its emerging trends in China, to seek new methods of collaboration in strengthening ecumenical theological education and leadership development.

"The answer is clearly 'yes'," said Kobia when asked whether there would be further cooperation between the WCC and the Chinese government.

He praised China's ongoing building of a harmonious society as important in addressing problems stemming from economic development.

The WCC would follow closely China's harmonious society building process and make its own evaluations.

He appreciated the encouraging situation in China, which, as an emerging economic power, had the potential to grow into a major world power.

The WCC wants to help China in cultivating more "homegrown" theologists and pastors within the country's own framework, he said.

Kobia, who spoke to over 1,000 believers at a Beijing church on Sunday, said he had traveled freely in China and met with ordinary people.

"They told me they are safe in practicing religion…without government interference" he said.

Kobia said the WCC wanted to know how it could support the Chinese church in its growth and development developing and finding space for growth.

After an afternoon discussion with Chinese religious leaders, he was surprised that they coexisted and cooperated in friendship and harmony.

The visits and meetings have exceeded expectations and hopes "envisaged as the aim of this visit" and the delegation was encouraged by China's impressive work in printing about 42 million Bibles over the past 20 years, said a statement by Kobia's delegation.

The unprecedented growth of Christianity and increasing church growth in China was also evident during e visits to local congregations.

After visiting Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing and Beijing, Kobia will continue to Xi'an.

The Chinese government is planning a census to learn how many religious followers China currently has. The last survey showed 16 million Christians, but this is thought to be a very low estimate.

"I believe we will have a bright future since there are more young and educated people in our faith," said Cao Shengjie, head of the CCC.

(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2006)