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The Chinese Realm 1978-1996

Taiwan and Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China, and Mongolia

Taiwan and Hong Kong

By mid-1996 there were more than 22,000 members of the Church in Taiwan and almost 21,000 in Hong Kong. Although annual baptism rates varied somewhat in the two areas, an average of about 1,000 people joined the Church in each nation or colony from 1979 onward. Taiwan-largely because it had greater numbers of mature priesthood leaders, more territory, a larger populace (21 million versus 6.5 million in Hong Kong in 1996), more missionaries, and available land-received a temple in 1984. The two Taiwan missions, Kaohsiung and Taipei, were divided into three with the creation of the Taichung Mission in 1979, although the number was reduced to two in 1982. Additional stakes were created, bringing the number to five in 1994. There were also three districts. In the years since 1979, the Church acquired a number of properties and built almost thirty chapels. The seminary and institute programs grew steadily. In general, the Church reached a stage of maturity and solidity in Taiwan.

The same is true for the Church in Hong Kong. The small geographical size of the colony does not justify more than one mission even though the populace of around six million would do so in other parts of the world. In 1996 there were five stakes in Hong Kong and many wards. Some problems, such as the difficulty of acquiring land and the constant problem of leaders and members who move elsewhere, hindered Church growth there. But in May 1996 the Church dedicated the Hong Kong Temple and appeared to be as secure as any other denomination while the colony awaited reversion to the People's Republic of China in 1997.

In 1979 the People's Republic of China, under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping, opened its doors wider to foreigners. In the summer of that year Brigham Young University's Young Ambassadors performance group visited the PRC and initiated a multitude of relationships between China and the university, the Church, and many Church leaders. Although the Church is not legally recognized in China and proselyting is not allowed according to Chinese law and policy, branches of the Church are allowed for expatriates. As a result, many productive relationships and friendships abound between Church entities and Church members and Chinese officials and citizens.

Recently, in 1992, humanitarian services missionaries and regular proselyting elders entered Mongolia, now a free and independent nation. Long under the control of the Soviet Union, it is steadily leaving the realm of Communism and becoming part of the democratic world. More than six hundred Mongols are now (in 1996) baptized members of the Church.

Organization and Administration

In 1979 there was one stake in Taiwan and one in Hong Kong. On May 29, 1980, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley created the Hong Kong Kowloon Stake with twenty-nine-year-old Wong Chung-hei (Patrick) as the first president. President Wong, who had served as bishop and as a high councilor, was continuing a series of important Liang Shih-An (Kent) (left), seated beside his father, Liang Yun-Sheng, is the first Area Authority Seventy from Taiwan. The young Liang is among the few second-generation Latter-day Saints among the leaders of the Church in Asia. (Photo by author) callings in the Church. Subsequently he served twice as a Regional Representative of the Twelve, and on August 15, 1995, he was called as an Area Authority of the Church. A year later, in 1996, he was called as second counselor in the Asia Area Presidency. Liang Shih-an (Kent) from Taipei was also called as an Area Authority at the same time. Liang, a professor and formerly a Regional Representative, stake president, high councilor, and bishop, is the son of Brother and Sister Liang Yun-sheng, who were converted to the Church in Taiwan in May 1958. Over the years, the older Liang served in many positions in the Church, including being in the first stake presidency. He was a patriarch, a counselor in the Southern Far East Mission presidency, and so on. His son, Elder Liang, grew up in a strong Mormon home and represents the strength of second-generation Mormon families in Asia.