China boasts more than 16 mln Protestants

The number of China's Protestant Christians has hit more than 16 million, an increase of six million over a decade ago, according to statistics released Tuesday by the China Christian Council (CCC).

"And the number is still in growth," said CCC president Cao Shengjie in an interview with Xinhua.

In China, there are about 55,000 churches and meeting points and more than 36,000 pastoral personnel including 3,700 pastors and assistant pastors, as well as elders, preachers or evangelists, CCC figures find.

The number of church lay-workers has reached historical high of 100,000. Besides provincial and local training centers, there are 18 theological seminaries/Bible schools in national, regional and provincial levels, enrolling about 1,800 students.

More than 26,000 lay workers received basic theological training in 2005 alone, according to the CCC.

Statistics released by the Chinese government show China had about 10 million Protestants, more than 18,000 clergy, more than 12,000 churches and about 25,000 meeting points in 1997.

At the same time, since 1980s, a total of 476,605 Bibles of different editions have been published in eight ethnic languages, including Korean, Miao, Yi, Wa, Jingpo, Lahu, east Lisu and Dai.

The figures have proved that Christianity has experienced great development in the past, Cao said.

Source: Xinhua