Shenzhen: Gospel History (April 17, 2025, China Partnership)
God has really blessed this city. Shenzhen has a district called Fuyong. I heard it means “the gospel will be preached forever.”[1] Shenzhen used to be called Bao’an County, and was a place where missionaries bought land. For instance, the mountain behind the Third People’s Hospital was bought by missionaries. This history shows God’s blessing on this place.
37 Years Ago, Billy Graham Came to China for the First Time (April 15, 2025, China Christian Daily)
Reflecting on the 17-day journey, Graham wrote, “In a span of seventeen days, covering two thousand miles and five major cities, we packed in more speaking and preaching engagements, interviews, social events, and even sightseeing than I remembered from any other trip I’d taken (though not as much sightseeing as I would have liked). He wrote, “Both foreign and American press interviewed us at many stages, but their coverage hardly hinted at the impact all those experiences made on me. Several events remain as special highlights in my memory.”
What Is the Significance of the “Sinicization of Christianity”? – —A Perspective from Religious Studies (March 24, 2025, ChinaSource Journal)
The authorities’ demand was driven by the strategic concern over religious influence of “hostile forces from the West” and the political need for nationalist-statist ideology. The churches’ response was driven by the social condition of “politics’ domination over religion,” which was rooted in the Chinese tradition and has been further reinforced since 1949 when the People’s Republic of China was founded.
Whose Zhongguohua Is It Anyway? – Five Voices on Contemporary Sinicization Debates (March 24, 2025, ChinaSource Journal)
The Sinicization (Zhongguohua, 中國化) of Christianity in China can historically be seen as both a political strategy and a religious negotiation.
Can China’s urban giants compete as population declines accelerate? (April 12, 2025, South China Morning Post) (Subscription required)
As demographic shifts reshape the urban hierarchy, bigger cities may struggle with declining workforces, empty streets. The implications are sweeping: from abandoned buildings and a shrinking workforce and consumer market, to smaller fiscal revenues for local governments.
China Plays South China Sea-Style “Salami Slicing” Tricks In The Yellow Sea; What’s Cooking In Indo-Pacific? (April 19, 2025, The EurAsian Times)
After aggressive posturing in the South China Sea, China is upping the ante in the Yellow Sea, following the building of a gigantic steel rig. This has been a bone of contention between South Korea and China. The Coast Guards of the two countries recently had a standoff after Korean ships wanted to investigate the steel structure.
Yes, some of China’s educated youth just asserted sovereignty over Australia (March 31, 2025, Lowy Institute - The Interpreter)
Last month, three Chinese naval vessels conducted live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea without prior notification to Canberra while on a voyage circling Australia. The drills not only heightened tensions within the Australian government but also ignited a bizarre wave of nationalist fervour back in China.
No Lease, No Hassle: Young Renters Check Out Hotel Life (April 8, 2025, Sixth Tone)
China has seen a surge in long-term hotel stays among young adults. With 24/7 gyms and laundry service, more young people are opting for long-term hotel deals over the traditional rental market.
Why renovating flats to make them safe for elderly is a booming business in Hong Kong (April 20, 2025, South China Morning Post) (Subscription required)
In a new trend observed by companies offering the specialised services, customers are becoming younger as more people are willing to spend on renovations at an earlier age to prepare for a safer retirement life and prevent accidents at home.
How will Xi’s visit aid or hamper Southeast Asia countries in their tariff talks with the US? (April 18, 2025, Channel News Asia)
Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia rolled out the red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping to show they won’t be bullied in tariff negotiations with the US, analysts say. But they add that it remains a delicate balancing act for ASEAN states.
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Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
Blessing Asia
In October-2022 more than 500 Christian leaders from across Asia gathered in Thailand for the Asia 2022 Congress, sponsored by the Lausanne Movement and various partnering organizations. I had the opportunity to participate in the Congress virtually and was mightily blessed. From Bible exposition to K-pop worship, and through seminars and workshops, the participants were encouraged by the stories of what God is doing in countries all over Asia. Clearly, God is on the move.
A beautiful vision was portrayed in a video of the popular worship song The Blessing, featuring singers from all over Asia. Here it is:
Many of the sessions have already been posted on their website and to their YouTube channel.
One that I found particularly helpful considering all that is going on in China was a presentation titled Church and State Relationship in Asia Today. You can see the video here.
I encourage you to spend some time on their website; there are fantastic resources for understanding God’s work in Asia today.
Original link: https://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/blog-entries/blessing-asia/
Image credit: Andrea Brucker, via Unsplash
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