Children, taxi drivers, even grannies are working hard on English six years ahead the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, and now China's clergy are taking lessons too.

Some Chinese clergy, nuns and seminary students were learning not only English, but also Spanish, Portuguese and Italian, said Michael Fu Tieshan, the bishop of Beijing Diocese.

In fact, all religious groups in China encouraged the learning of foreign languages in preparation for the Games. A group of returned Catholics, Christians and Muslims, who had studied abroad, were ready to conduct services in foreign languages.

"By then, Chinese churches will provide foreign officials, coaches, athletes and audience with religious services in different languages," said Fu, who is also chairman of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA).

Beijing has been trying to make religious services available to foreigners while developing itself into an international metropolis.

"We have received a growing number of foreign Catholics who celebrate mass in our church," said Feng Guoxin, priest of the North Church, the biggest Catholic church in the Chinese capital which is also known as Xishiku Church, northwest of the Forbidden City.

Feng said his church celebrated mass in English every week.

Other religions, such as Buddhism and Islam, are also opening their doors to foreign followers.

Temporary sites for religious services were always opened to foreigners when big events took place in China, such as the Asian Games in 1990, the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, and the 21st World University Games in 2001.

"It accords with the policy of religious freedom," said an official from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Religious Affairs.

Beijing's city development plan also includes restoring and improving religious sites.

Nearly 40,000 foreigners work or study in Beijing where 144 embassies, 18 international and regional organizations, and offices of more than 7,000 foreign firms are based. Nearly three million visitors come to Beijing from overseas each year.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2002)