Our Cultural Exchange activities in 2025
In 2025, the Verbiest Foundation has engaged in various cultural exchange activities to foster good relations with its partners, organizations, and individuals both within and outside China. Some of these cultural exchanges have a longstanding tradition and have been repeated over the years, such as the Verbiest Foundation’s invitation of a delegation of Chinese bishops. Other activities were new initiatives, such as the visit of the Leuven Chinese School to V.I. Leuven. Through these efforts, we aim to sustain dialogue and promote mutual understanding between our Churches and people from different cultural backgrounds.
Visit of Chinese delegation to Leuven
This year, a delegation of five Chinese bishops and priests visited the Chinese College Leuven (CCL) from Sept. 22 – Sept. 24., by invitation of the VF which organised meetings and facilitated meals and accommodation. The delegation consisted of: Bp. Guo Jincai (Vice President of the Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in China and Rector of the National Seminary in Beijing), Bishop Cai Bingrui of the Diocese of Fujian province, Bishop Sun Wenjun of the Diocese of Yidu, Fr. Pan, (Academic Dean of the National Seminary) and Fr. Wang (professor of canon law at the National Seminary).
On the first day, the delegation was welcomed in Mechelen by Mgr. Herman Cosijns, Archbishop Terlinden, and Bruno Spriet for a one-hour meeting in Mechelen. Both sides exchanged views on vocations, secularization, Church unity, lay formation, digital evangelization, and the impact of AI. The Chinese guests invited their Belgian hosts to visit China. After the meeting, we were all invited to have a meal together. The group also visited St. Rombouts Cathedral before returning to Leuven for an afternoon meeting with Prof. François of the Faculty of Theology who presented KU Leuven’s international programs and rare Chinese works in the library.
On the second day, the delegation had a meeting at the Chinese College Leuven with the members of the V.I. Leuven and the Verbiest Foundation. During the talks, there was a message of hope for the future, noting that, despite difficulties, the Priests and Bishops continue to do their work, give seminaries etc. They also took time to exchange gifts and take pictures. They had lunch altogether at the Chinese College. After this, the delegation left for a visit to Brussels.
In the morning of Sept. 24, the delegation left for the airport.
Visit To Hong Kong and Taipei by Verbiest Foundation directors
Visit to Hong Kong and Taipei by VF directors Karel Heyndrickx and Dominik Declercq to meet with our colleagues and partners based in Hong Kong and Taipei and talk about the future of the VF. Their trip began in Hong Kong, where they held meetings with Clio Lim and her team, visited the company secretary Chartac, and the Holy Spirit Study Center.
In Taipei, they visited the Verbiest Institute and met with colleagues of the Verbiest Association Taipei. Their activities also included a dinner with longtime friends of Fr. Jeroom, an online Zoom meeting with Cardinal Stephen Chow from Hong Kong at the V.I. Taipei office, visits to Fu Jen University and the Faculty of Theology of St. Robert Bellarmine, and a meeting at Academia Catholica. They also had dinner with twelve VF scholarship students studying at the university. Additionally, they visited the National Palace Museum and attended a Eucharist Mass presided over by Frans De Ridder, CICM.
It was a meaningful trip that will strengthen our partnerships and collaborations in the future
Visit of Verbiest Foundation Delegation to Beijing
A delegation of the Verbiest Foundation visited China in December. The delegation consisted of Dominik Declercq (Vice-president of the Board of the Verbiest Foundation), Joseph Lim (representative of the Board of the Verbiest Foundation in Asia), and Fr. Matthew Gong Zhixi. The itinerary was prepared by Fr. Matthew and Joseph Lim.
The delegation arrived in Beijing on December 10. The schedule included visits to the National Seminary, the Bishops’ Conference, and the Diocese of Beijing, as well as to the tombs of Matteo Ricci and Ferdinand Verbiest at the Imperial College. The group also attended a Mass and met with catechism teachers at the North Cathedral.
The delegation departed on December 14.
Visit by the Leuven Chinese School
A teacher from the Leuven Chinese School contacted V.I. Leuven to request a visit on October 27. The Leuven Chinese School offers Chinese language courses to children from 6 to 12 years, with the goal of teaching both the language and Chinese culture. The teacher’s aim was for the students to learn more about Chinese culture through a visit to our facilities. V.I. Leuven organized a range of engaging activities for the children: they practiced Tai Chi together, tried Chinese papercutting, and learned about hongbao, traditional Chinese clothing, and the Chinese zodiac. It was a fun and interactive way for the children to explore and experience Chinese culture.
