The China-Zentrum e.V. was established in 1988. The aim of this officially recognized nonprofit organization is to foster encounters and exchange between cultures and religions in the West and in China. The members of the China Center are Catholic aid organizations, religious orders, and dioceses in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

The main office of the China-Zentrum, located in Sankt Augustin (near Bonn, Germany),  implements the Center’s aims as laid out in its Statutes in the following sectors:

Information and Conscientization about Religions in China
The China-Zentrum collects and sends out information about China, with special stress being placed on the religions in China in the context of developments in Chinese society. The following sources of information are available to the Center’s visitors:

• The Journal China-heute – Information on religion and Christianity in the Chinese cultural sphere; 
• The English language e-journal Religions & Christianity in Today's China 
• Press releases;
• An information packet of materials on religion and the Catholic Church in China  (in preparation)
• An extensive collection of books and journals on China topics from various periods, especially on religions of China and on the Catholic Church in China (the  collection is located in the library of the ‘Monumenta Serica’ Institute, Sankt  Augustin);
• Annual Symposium of the China-Zentrum as well as public lectures.

Dialogue and cooperation with Chinese partners, in particular with a view to the Catholic Church in China.
The China-Zentrum cultivates contacts with China and its Church as well as with facilities in China, Hongkong, Macau and Taiwan that deal with questions of culture and religion. The academic and social cooperation with partners in China is enhanced by, among other things, mutual visits, programs with Chinese studying and living in Germany (students in theological formation and religious Sisters in formation, German-Chinese student get-togethers) as well as by ordinary academic exchanges. In cultivating these contacts with China, the China-Zentrum places great value on international and ecumenical cooperation (for example, the realization of European China conferences). 

Research on Christianity and its history in China as well as on the other religions present in the Chinese cultural sphere
In cooperation with the Monumenta Serica Institute and with other partner organizations, the China-Zentrum produces publications on the above mentioned themes. Lectures, exhibits and symposia are also employed in the service of China research.

 printer friendly version