E/CN.4/1995/91 page 122 Catholics Statistical data on the Catholic community in China Information provided by the Office of Religious Affairs Information provided by the CPPCC Number of Catholics 4 million (approx.) 1582 (introduction of Catholicism to China) 1949: 2.7 million 1994: 4 million Number of clergy 2 700 Bishops: 70 (18521949: 109 foreign bishops, 20 Chinese bishops) Priests: 1 000 Nuns: 2 000 Seminarists: 1 200 Novices: 1 600 Number of churches or chapels 4 000 4 000 Number of parishes 1852-1949: 1994: 113 Number of convents 12 (approx.) 40 Number of seminaries 11 24 137 Number of persons educated abroad 60 Number of baptisms 6 000 per year (approx.) Number of national Catholic associations Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (1957); Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in China Newspaper "Catholic Church in China" Links with foreign dioceses 90 countries