Hong Kong Anglican Church Picks New Leader

Bishop Andrew Chan has been elected as head of the Anglican Church in Hong Kong, succeeding Archbishop Paul Kwong who will retire later this year.

The Sheng Kung Hui, also known as the Anglican Church in Hong Kong and in Macau, held a special meeting and election on Sunday.

Chan, who currently serves as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Western Kowloon, defeated two other candidates for the top post in the church.

Sheng Kung Hui said Chan received more than half of the votes in each of the three houses of its Electoral College set up for the election – the houses of bishops, of clergy and of lay delegates.

The church added that, according to its rules, Kwong is going to retire later this year as he reaches the age of 70.

Chan, who was born in 1962, earned a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology from University of London in 2004.

The changing of the guard at the Anglican Church comes amid growing concerns about freedoms in Hong Kong, including freedom of religion.

The retiring archbishop sparked controversy when he reportedly expressed support for the national security law, saying that he doesn't think it undermines people's freedoms or religious organisations in the SAR.