SW News: Amid Sino-Vatican tensions, Bishop Stephen Chow SJ of Hong Kong made a historic trip to Beijing on Monday, the first of its kind in nearly 30 years. The Jesuit prelate has been invited to spend five days in Beijing by the archdiocese. Bishop Chow previously emphasized the significance of the Church in Hong Kong serving as a link between China and the island.

This historic visit comes two weeks after the nomination of the Most Rev. Joseph Shen Bin as the new Bishop of Shanghai by the Chinese Bishops' Council, a communist-run episcopal conference. The Vatican has not given its approval for the appointment as it violates the provisional agreement signed by the Holy See and China over the appointment of bishops in 2018.

However, the Hong Kong Diocese withheld his itinerary when announcing Bishop Chow's visit. The visit comes after accepting the invitation from the Diocese of Beijing. However, a publication affiliated with the diocese stated Bishop Chow would meet with his counterpart, the Most Rev. Joseph Li, tour the National Seminary of the Chinese Church, and celebrate a Mass of gratitude at the Xuanwumen Church.

The Bishop would also go to other institutions that promote cultural exchanges, including the tomb of Venerable Matteo Ricci, one of the first Jesuits to live in China and who passed away in Beijing in 1610.

Bishop Chow was named Hong Kong Bishop by Pope Francis in 2021.