Beijing:

Bishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing is expected to arrive in Hong Kong later this month on an official visit. Cardinal Stephen Chow of Hong Kong extended the invitation during his recent visit to the Chinese capital. Bishop Li will spend five days in Hong Kong beginning November 14th, meeting with Cardinal Chow and other diocesan officials to deepen connections and develop cooperation between the two jurisdictions. Meanwhile, Chow, the newly named cardinal, expressed optimism in September that his new post would help strengthen ties between the Vatican and Beijing.

Because of problems in the larger Chinese-Vatican relationship, some Catholics in Hong Kong suspect Beijing seeks more control over religious issues. Diplomats anticipate that his visit will be carefully monitored.

Despite the Communist Party of China's avowed atheism, Hong Kong's region, known for its substantial Catholic influence, has long been regarded as a major religious hub in the vicinity of mainland China.

On the mainland, the official church loyal to Beijing and the underground flock loyal to the Pope have been at war for decades, but in 2018, the Vatican and Beijing negotiated a temporary agreement on bishop appointments in an attempt to ease tensions between the two groups.

Because of Beijing's violations, the Vatican has resisted extending the secret agreement three times. Some in the Catholic Church regard the Vatican's decision to prolong the agreement as a betrayal of China, but the Holy See insists that any compromise is preferable to none.