05-07-2025
Anglican delegation visits historic Chinese temples in Kuching for cultural exchange
Wee (front, fifth left) in a photocall with visiting delegates at the Tua Pek Kong Temple.
KUCHING (July 5): A delegation from the House of the Epiphany – Anglican Diocese of Kuching paid a visit to the historic Tua Pek Kong and Hong San Si temples today as part of a cultural exchange aimed at deepening interfaith understanding.
The group was welcomed by Datuk Richard Wee, chairman of the Kuching Chinese Community Charitable Trust and president of the Kuching Hockien Association (KHA), who highlighted Sarawak's enduring tradition of religious harmony and mutual respect.
'Sarawak government has promoted religious freedom and since the establishment of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), annual grants have been provided for temples, churches, Sikh temples and others to relieve their financial pressure,' he said during an exchange session at the KHA's premises after the visits.
Delegates were shown videos of previous events organised by the two temples, which showcased the vibrant and living traditions of local Taoist culture and its contribution to community life.
Wee shared that early Chinese settlers from southern China had built temples as places of prayer for peace and prosperity, many of which still stand today as symbols of their contribution to Sarawak's development.
He said in Sarawak, ancient temples can be seen in areas with a long history, proving that the Chinese ancestors settled down here and participated in the local development.
Tua Pek Kong Temple, believed to have been built as early as 1820, is regarded as the oldest temple in Sarawak and continues to attract thousands of devotees each year.
Managed by the Chinese Community Charitable Trust, it is not only a place of worship but also a cultural landmark bearing witness to the transformation of Kuching city over the decades.
Wee noted that similar Tua Pek Kong temples can be found throughout Sarawak, many established during the opening of trade ports in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Located nearby, Hong San Si Temple houses the revered Guang Ze Zun Wang deity and holds special significance for the Hockien community.
Wee said the temple regularly hosts festivals, with the annual birthday parade for the deity being the most significant.
The parade involves more than 200 participating teams and has become a major cultural event, drawing diverse local communities and tourists alike.
'We hope that our visiting delegates will take this opportunity to understand the beliefs of the Chinese community as well as appreciate the beauty of Kuching,' said Wee.
