Macao (Fides Service) - "Religion and Culture; past approaches, present globalisation, future challenges" was the theme of an international symposium held in Macao to mark the 450th anniversary of the death in China of St Francis Xavier, great missionary of the Far East. Scholars from Hong Kong, Macao and mainland China joined experts from Australia, Europe, United States to discuss modernisation and religion, Christianity in particular. Wang Xiaochao of Qinghua University in Beijing confirmed the moral function of religions, Christianity especially in modern day China. He said that Christian communities in China promote moral values not only among their members but also throughout society. The Chinese government also recognises the positive role of religions. Prof. Hu who teaches in Beijing and in Hong Kong told Fides Service that "in China society today, among young people in particular, there is a longing for spiritual things, economic success is no longer enough. This is seen in the growing popularity of ancient Chinese philosophical texts on ethics such as "si shy wu jing". Religion, or better, religious communities, whether Christian, Muslim or Buddhist meet this demand. The social role of religion cannot be denied". (Fides Service 11/12/2002)