[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
[June 28, 1998]
[Pages 1079-1080]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Remarks at Chongwenmen Church in Beijing
June 28, 1998
Thank you, Reverend Wu, Reverend Siu, Reverend Yin. Ladies and
gentlemen, thank you for making me and my family and our party of
Americans feel so welcome in your church today. We are a long way from
home, but we felt very much at home with you here in this church.
We celebrate with you the growth of the practice of our faith in
China, and we rejoice to hear Reverend Siu cite
the numbers of churches and other places of worship where people are
practicing their faith today.
The sermon today was on the unity of the church and our unity with
God in the church. I would like to add only one point: I believe our
faith calls upon us to seek unity with people across the world of
different races and backgrounds and creeds. In the Book of Acts, the
26th verse, it is said that God has made from one blood every nation to
dwell on the surface
[[Page 1080]]
of the Earth. I believe that is true. Therefore, I believe that Chinese
and Americans are brothers and sisters as children of God. We come here
in that spirit today, grateful for your welcome.
Note: The President spoke at 10:31 a.m. In his remarks, he referred to
Rev. Wu Wei and Rev. Siu Zeshing, principal ministers, and Rev. Yin
Hongtao, minister trainee, Chongwenmen Church. A tape was not available
for verification of the content of these remarks.