![Father Peter Zhao Jianmin (center) conducts mass at the Catholic Church of Xuanwumen in Beijing Sunday. [China Daily]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20080818/000cf1a487730a13545814.jpg "Father Peter Zhao Jianmin (center) conducts mass at the Catholic Church of Xuanwumen in Beijing Sunday. [China Daily]") |
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Father Peter Zhao Jianmin (center) conducts mass at the Catholic Church of Xuanwumen in Beijing Sunday. [China Daily]
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US tourist Annette Swanson said, "I'm surprised, and I'm pleased to see the church is very active church here, and I love the music here. "
US tourist Louise Buonagurd said, "I feel that some of these are more religious than I am. you would never see Americans praying they way they are praying. And so this for me, I would want to take pictures of them to show there is an intense feeling of communicating with God and your religion, and I belive that."
The rising number of overseas visitors has caught the attention of some western media. Father Zhen Xuebin has been interviewed by a US journalist. He says exchanges between religious followers in Beijing is beneficial for the development of China's Catholic churches.
Secretary Gen. of Catholic Church of Beijing Diocese Zhen Xuebin said, "They have contribute many things to us, because they would bring some of the new teachings, new forms of praying to our church, and the Chinese can also learn from them."
No doubt, these exchanges will also help overseas visitors got a better understanding of China.
Today, Luxembourg's head of state, Grand Duke Henri is also attending mass.
Many visitors say it's easy to practicing their religion in Beijing during the Olympic Games.
As an ancient city, Beijing has a variety of religious venues. The Organizing Committee of the Beijing Olympic Games has promised that overseas athletes and tourists visiting the city during the Games will be able to worship at any of the city's religious venues. This is another important step in building the image of Beijing as an open city.
(CCTV August 18, 2008)
