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In
recent years there has been a massive increase in people in the United
Kingdom from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia. Many are students.
China’s entry into the World Trade Organisation has meant the
granting of more commercial visas.
The economic downturn in the Far East also encouraged some to move.
But also, since the mid 1990’s there have been illegal immigrants,
particularly from the Foochow City area. Perhaps as many as 50,000
have come to find work and make money, smuggled in by snakehead gangs
at a cost of £20,000 each, financed by a loan from loansharks.
In August 2000 the Chinese Congregation at King’s Cross responded
to the deaths in the lorry in Dover by setting up an Advice Service.
It deals with a range of problems: legal issues around asylum, separation
from family networks, language difficulties, financial problems through
needing to pay back the loans, difficulty in finding work. There are
women entering prostitution, mental health problems because of the
pressure, women abandoned when they become pregnant, coping with the
English system of benefit or medical services without understanding
the way they work, perhaps not even the language in which conversations
are conducted. Many are looking for companionship and for purpose
in life – and are open to hearing the Gospel message.
Over 1000 people have to date been seen by the Service, which also
publishes a Chinese periodical entitled "Blessed News."
The Advice Service is open at the church, 58 Birkenhead Street, on
Mondays and Tuesdays from 12 to 3. |
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