A relationship initiated nearly a year ago between the National Council of Churches (NCC) in the United States and the Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) in China was reaffirmed this week as leaders from the two groups met in New York City.

On Monday, a delegation from the TSPM, including the group's chair Elder Fu Xianwei, met with NCC General Secretary the Rev. Michael Kinnamon and other leaders at the Interchurch Center in Manhattan.

During their brief after lunch meeting, the two groups reaffirmed a memorandum of understanding that had been exchanged between the NCC and Chinese church leaders last February, which asserts their determination to work together on ministries and concerns they share in common.

The memorandum notes the "strong bonds that have developed over the years" between the NCC and the TSPM, which includes "praying for each another (as during the 2008 earthquake in China), periodic visits, and occasional support for one another's ministries."

Also noted in the memo is the issue of global warming, which the NCC and TSPM say has an "infinite" potential for cooperation between the groups, given that the United States and China together produce nearly 40 percent of the world's carbon emissions.

"As churches, we ought to voice the need of protecting God's creation and to encourage our church members to show solicitude for the environment and take actions to protect the environment," the memo says.

Along with affirming the memo, Kinnamon also accepted an invitation to join a summit of Chinese and U.S. leaders September 27 to discuss further cooperation between the two groups.

The delegation from China visiting included Elder Fu Xianwei, Chairman of the National Committee of the TSPM; the Rev. Zhang Keyun, President of Jiangsu Provincial Christian Council; and the Rev. Dr. Lin Manhong, Interim Dean of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary.

Also joining were Xiao Hong, Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Department, SARA; and Xu Wenzhen, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Department, SARA. The group was accompanied by the Rev. Peter Koon, General Secretary, Anglican Province of Hong Kong.

In addition to Kinnamon, NCC staff meeting with the delegation were: the Rev. Garland F. Pierce, NCC associate general secretary, Education and Leadership Ministries; and the Rev. Deborah DeWinter, NCC director of Donor Relations. Karen Wang, senior director, NCC Administration and Finance, provided translation support for the group.

The TSPM delegation also met Monday with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries and Church World Service, both in The Interchurch Center, and with New York Theological Seminary (NYTS). They met with New York's Episcopal Bishop Mark S. Sisk at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral on Amsterdam Avenue.