In the 19th century, missionary James Hudson Taylor moved to China, founded the China Inland Mission and adopted a Chinese way of life. There are now 70 million Chinese Christians. Lynsey Bradford visited China to find out what they know of Hudson Taylor's home town of Barnsley and their plans to visit.

James Hudson Taylor left Barnsley for China in 1854 and became one of its most celebrated Christian missionaries.

He adopted Chinese culture, cutting his hair and wearing native Chinese dress.

He is revered by Chinese Christians, and is popular within their circles.

Mary Lui, who moved from China to Barnsley earlier this year, is keen to establish links between Barnsley and China to help attract more Chinese people to the town.

Many Chinese people say they would love to visit Barnsley but, in past years, it has been difficult for them to get permission to leave China.

In recent times, China has adopted a more flexible approach, allowing its citizens to travel abroad.

Mary said it was still difficult for people to leave China, but is helping organise a trip to Barnsley next year, so her friends can see the town.

All of Mary's friends know of Hudson Taylor, and are aware of his impact and influence.

Rebecca Lin, 59, who lives in Beijing, became a Christian in 1972 and first heard of James Hudson Taylor a few years later when she was in college.

"Chinese Christians of my generation know who he is, but I'm not so sure about younger generations.

"It's really important to pass the history down to them."

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“Hudson Taylor didn't live in an ivory tower and tried very hard to integrate himself into Chinese culture which is what we respect and what we love."

Financial journalist Christina Xu, 50, who also lives in Beijing, used Hudson Taylor's experiences to help her when her husband Duan Xiao Bo, died of liver disease at the age of 45.

But it seems not everyone holds him in such high esteem.

Pastor Jonathan Li, of the Beijing Christian Fellowship, said Hudson Taylor was considered a hero among Chinese Christians.

But he added: "He was working with grassroots Christians, such as farmers, and he forgot the educated people. Intellectuals are the most influential group of people and he overlooked that. He is important, but he was also 150 years ago."