During a 4 June 2004 telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a representative of the Cardinal Kung Foundation stated that there are no standardized baptismal certificates within underground Catholic churches in China nor are baptismal certificates issued as a matter of course. Instead, if a baptismal certificate were requested at the time of baptism, the priest might issue an informal document that would most likely be written in Chinese (ibid).

Reports to corroborate this information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Cardinal Kung Foundation [Stamford, CT]. 4 June 2004. Telephone interview with representative.

The Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Toronto was unable to respond within the time constraints of this response.

Publications: China's Christian Millions (1999); The Catholic Church in Present Day China (1997); China's Catholics: Tragedy and Hope in an Emerging Civil Society (1998).

Internet sites, including: Asia News, Dialog, U.S. Catholic China Bureau, Seattle Catholic, Catholic Hierarchy/Catholic Church in China, Catholic Encyclopeadia, United States Catholic Mission Association, World Wide Religious News.