Nov 13 2007

No Ban on Bibles at Beijing Olympics Says Chinese Ambassador

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today said he has received a reply to his request from the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Zhou Wenzhong, making clear that China will not ban the Bible from the Olympic Village.

“It remains unknown what the concocters of this fabrication are driving at,” wrote Ambassador Zhou in a letter to Graham.  “But they have caused some negative impacts. The Beijing Olympic Games is a major event for both China and the world.  I hope these people will stop doing harms to the mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese people and the people of the world.”

Media reports in Europe and the United States have suggested China was seeking to ban Bibles from the Olympic Village at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. 

“I was very pleased to receive this communication from the Chinese Ambassador making it clear there will not be a ban on Bibles at the Olympic Village,” said Graham.  “As with everything from communist China it is my position we verify, verify, verify and then trust.  I’m pleased to have this in writing and hopefully this will clear up any and all confusion on this matter.”
 
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