As the Second Asian Youth Day got underway at Fu Jen Catholic University on Sunday, much was made of the fact that the Hong Kong delegation did not carry the PRC flag in the opening ceremonies.
The event, entitled "We are Called to Sanctity and Solidarity" was organized by The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference (FABC) and Taiwan's Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference. It is the first time Taiwan has hosted an Asia-wide religious event.
Young Catholics from more than 20 countries attended.
According to Luke C.H. Liu (劉巨烘), secretary of the Commission for the Laity, the bishops' conference agreed in 1999 to host the Second Asian Youth Day, hoping that it would give Asian youth an opportunity to learn about Taiwan.
The leader of the Hong Kong delegation, Francis Law Wai-chung (羅偉聰), cited political sensitivity for the group's failure to carry the PRC's flag.
"We understand that Taiwan is a sensitive place from a political point of view. It was not so convenient to bring the flag this time," Law said.
There was also no delegation from China at Sunday's event.
"As far as I know, no young people from mainland China will be present at the events," said Liu, speaking before the event began.
Although many people think that Catholics in China are prohibited from taking part in the activities of the Roman Catholic Church, this is not completely true.
The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong has frequent -- though unofficial -- communication with both the Beijing-endorsed Patriotic Church of China and the Vatican-endorsed underground Roman Catholic Church in China. But activities involving the diocese and Chinese churches came to a standstill as control over religion was tightened in China last year.
"We were not requested to invite youth from mainland China this time,'' said Law.
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