appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Shi Jiangtao

Joseph Chang Yanfeng was ordained bishop of Chifeng in China’s northern Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Wednesday, highlighting the uneasy diplomatic engagement between Beijing and the Vatican on the sensitive issue of Catholic appointments.
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo XIV approved Chang’s appointment on June 15, under the terms of a 2018 provisional agreement between the Holy See and Beijing.
The ordination fills a vacancy for the Catholic diocese of Chifeng that had lasted nearly two decades, following the 2006 death of Andreas Zhu Wenyu, according to AsiaNews, a Catholic missionary news agency based in Italy.
Zhu had been ordained bishop without a papal mandate in 1990, “but later, like other Chinese bishops, he requested and was granted re-entry into communion with Rome”, the report said.
Chang had served as Chifeng’s diocesan administrator since 2021. The ordination of the 42-year-old priest was presided over by Bishop Paul Meng Qinglu of Hohhot, deputy chairman of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, according to the association’s official website.


About 400 people attended the ordination, including priests, nuns and lay representatives from across Inner Mongolia.
Born in Chengde, Hebei province, in 1984, Chang trained at Shenyang Major Seminary, studied biblical theology in South Korea and was ordained a priest in 2010.
He has spent his entire priesthood serving the Chifeng diocese in various pastoral and leadership roles.
Shortly before his appointment was announced, Chang publicly pledged to align the diocese with China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, a policy criticised by rights groups for eroding minority languages and cultures, AsiaNews reported.
Bishop selection has remained the central point of contention in Beijing’s relations with the Vatican, which remains the only European state to recognise Taiwan, further complicating ties with Beijing.
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary.
Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-ruled island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.
The Holy See seeks to preserve papal authority, while Beijing insists on strict state oversight of religion and political loyalty from religious communities.
The provisional agreement, last renewed in 2024 to run through 2028, is intended to bridge decades of division between the state-sanctioned Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and underground communities loyal to Rome.
It has established a process in which Chinese authorities propose candidates for bishop, with the pope retaining final veto power.
Since its signing, the deal has facilitated the appointment or regularisation of roughly two dozen bishops, affecting a significant portion of China’s estimated 90-plus dioceses and bringing all active bishops into full communion with Rome.
Chang’s ordination continues this pattern under Pope Leo, who has approved several Chinese bishops since succeeding Pope Francis last year.




It marked the first such appointment in 2026 after the late 2025 consecrations of Ignatius Wu Jianlin in Shanghai and Francis Li Jianlin in Xinxiang, according to AsiaNews.
The agreement is widely seen as a calculated compromise, with supporters viewing it as the only realistic way to strengthen the church’s institutional presence in China.
But critics, including rights groups, some Chinese Catholics and retired Hong Kong bishop Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, have argued the deal grants the Communist Party undue influence over the church and risks subordinating pastoral freedom to political demands.


Xi to get presidential airport welcome from Trump during US visit starting Wednesday

China’s collection of stock stamp duty jumps more than 80% as AI frenzy boosts trading

China tests first practical submarine solar power plant at 10-metre depth in the open sea

What Hong Kong educators can learn from Yidan Prize winners

China

Vatican and Beijing agree on new China bishop as ordination fills 20-year vacancy

Joseph Chang Yanfeng has been ordained bishop of the Catholic diocese of Chifeng in China’s northern Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Photo: Handout

‘CEO monk’ scandal: China creates new oversight body for Buddhist clergy

Shi Zhengci, the abbot of Wuzu Temple in Huangmei county, Hubei province, is the Buddhist Association of China’s new chairman of the board of supervisors. Photo: Handout

Religion must align with law for ethnic and social harmony in China, Xi says

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who recently visited Tibet and Xinjiang, has called for China’s religious leaders to be better “guided” to embody Chinese characteristics in religious doctrines, rules, management systems, rituals and customs. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese religious groups warned of ‘hidden danger’ from foreign infiltration

The latest warning echoes Xi Jinping’s comments during his recent meeting with the Panchen Lama. Photo: Xinhua

Li Ganjie visited a variety of religious groups in Beijing last week. Photo: CCTV

China’s Xi Jinping meets Panchen Lama, urges continued ‘sinicisation of religion’

The 11th Panchen Lama presents a traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarf to President Xi Jinping as they meet in Beijing on Friday. Photo: Xinhua

President Xi Jinping holds talks with the Panchen Lama at the Zhongnanhai official compound in Beijing on Friday. Photo: Xinhua

What does China Islamic Association’s rebrand reveal about Beijing’s integration drive?

A street in Kashgar Old Town, in China’s western Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. China’s campaign to “sinicise religion” has had particular impact on Hui and Uygur Muslims. Photo: Shutterstock

The social media account of the China Islamic Association has replaced its traditional logo (right) with a new design (left) that features a blue background and only the Chinese characters of the group’s name. 

News

Diplomacy

Appointment of Roman Catholic prelate in Inner Mongolia highlights uneasy yet continuing diplomatic engagement on sensitive issue


Appointment of Roman Catholic prelate in Inner Mongolia highlights uneasy yet continuing diplomatic engagement on sensitive issue.


Holy See

Shanghai

Pope Francis

Pope Leo XIV

Vatican and Beijing agree on new China bishop as ordination fills 20-year vacancy

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Appointment of Roman Catholic prelate in Inner Mongolia highlights uneasy yet continuing diplomatic engagement on sensitive issue

Appointment of Roman Catholic prelate in Inner Mongolia highlights uneasy yet continuing diplomatic engagement on sensitive issue