Welcome to the China Partnership Blog

Welcome! We’re so glad you’ve found our blog.

China is a country on the move and it’s not an easy place to keep up with. What might have been true about China economically, socially, and religiously twenty years ago is almost certainly different today.

In addition to the changes taking place within the country’s borders, the Chinese people are changing as they engage with the outside world. More Chinese are traveling or living abroad than ever before. Not long ago, new Chinese expats were mostly graduate students or visiting scholars conducting research abroad; now there are also significant numbers of undergraduate and high school students leaving their homeland and joining the Chinese diaspora. Because of China’s growing role in the global economy, its people are no longer limited to study as a means of travel. Many go abroad for work and pleasure, for example Africa and Europe host significant Chinese communities.

If you live in North America, chances are you’ve noticed this trend. You may have a new Chinese family in your suburban neighborhood. Perhaps you hear Chinese spoken excitedly during sales at your local shopping mall. In some parts of America, you are almost guaranteed to have a Chinese student in your college class. If you work in the science or technology industries, you may pass by an office door (or two, or three) with a Chinese name on the placard. Eating out at your favorite local Chinese restaurant is probably no longer the closest contact you have with the Chinese community.

How are you responding to this?

Not everyone is naturally gifted at cross-cultural relationships. Sometimes they can be quite difficult. But as part of the multi-ethnic Kingdom of God, we believe all people can be empowered to reach across the cultural boundaries that so often separate us. All of God’s children can learn to love their neighbors.

Wherever you are, you live in both a global and a local reality. In our globalized 21st century, ministry is never fully “here” nor “there,” but rather interconnected in new and unprecedented ways. What occurs in the Chinese mainland will greatly impact the Chinese expat community around the world, and what the expat community experiences and learns abroad will have serious and long-term consequences back home.

With this in mind, we at the China Partnership hope to help educate, inform, and encourage anyone who engages cross-culturally with Chinese people in Christ’s name. Every Christian who encounters the Chinese community has a role to play whether you are working a nine-to-five or ministering to Chinese professionally, and we all need to take seriously the Church’s call to serve the “stranger” within our communities in the spirit of Leviticus 19:34 and Deuteronomy 10:19.

Through this blog, we hope to add another perspective on China to an already diverse online community writing about the country. Our goal is to provide those serving China’s people with practical help concerning Chinese culture and its church; ministry issues and resources; and global-local kingdom realities. We hope this will be a place for people to share, learn, and discuss missions vision and strategy.

Our regular blog contributors have either an intimate understanding of ministry to Chinese communities or they are experts in the growing field of global-local ministry. We are excited to bring you the voices of China Partnership staff and trainers, as well as experts in Chinese language, culture, and history. Above all, the blog hopes to demonstrate the multi-voiced dialogue inherent to global-local ministry and will be highlighting both Chinese and American voices on the many topics we cover.


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Hannah serves as the blog editor for the China Partnership. She is a student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and works with China Outreach Ministries, serving students in the Boston metro area. She first traveled to China in 2005 and has cared deeply for the country and its church ever since.

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Further Reading

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A Peaceful World: The Story of An Ning, Part 1
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Reformation and Gospel (With Chinese Characteristics)
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Xi'an: New Perspective on the City
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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

With rising pressure and persecution in China, there are two challenges imperative for church leaders. The first challenge is for current leaders to love Christ above all else, and not to stray into legalism or love of the world. The second challenge is to raise up the next generation of leaders, who will humbly model Jesus even if current leaders are arrested.

WILL YOU JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA? PRAY FOR:

  1. Current leaders to grow in their daily walks with Christ
  2. Current leaders to shepherd and raise up new leaders
  3. New leaders who love Christ and will model him to the world
  4. New leaders to love and care for the church

Videos

ABOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

About Shenyang

Shenyang is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Liaoning Province. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shenyang is also a hub for China’s heavy industry, with companies such as the China First Automobile Group and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Shenyang

About Qingdao

Qingdao is a city located in eastern China and is famous for its beaches, beer, and seafood. The city is home to several landmarks, including the Zhanqiao Pier and the Badaguan Scenic Area. Qingdao is also a major port and has a thriving economy, with industries such as electronics, petrochemicals, and machinery.

Videos

Stories from Qingdao

About Xiamen

Xiamen is a city located in southeastern China and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful coastal scenery, including Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is also a hub for China’s high-tech industry, with companies such as Huawei and ZTE having research and development centers in Xiamen.

Videos

Stories from Xiamen

About Chongqing

Chongqing is a city located in southwestern China and is a major economic center in the region. The city is known for its spicy cuisine, especially its hot pot dishes, and is also famous for the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Chongqing is also home to several historic sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Videos

Stories from Chongqing

About Nanjing

Nanjing is a city located in eastern China and is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It is one of China’s ancient capitals and has a rich cultural history, including the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Nanjing City Wall, and the Confucius Temple. Nanjing is also a modern city with a thriving economy and is home to several universities, including Nanjing University and Southeast University.

Videos

Stories from Nanjing

About Changchun

Changchun is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Jilin Province. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to several historical landmarks such as the Puppet Emperor’s Palace and the Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Changchun is also a hub for China’s automotive industry, with several major automobile manufacturers having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Changchun

About Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a city located in southern China and is the capital of Guangdong Province. It is one of the country’s largest and most prosperous cities, serving as a major transportation and trading hub for the region. Guangzhou is renowned for its modern architecture, including the Canton Tower and the Guangzhou Opera House, as well as its Cantonese cuisine, which is famous for its variety and bold flavors. The city also has a rich history, with landmarks such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Additionally, Guangzhou hosts the annual Canton Fair, the largest trade fair in China.

Videos

Stories from Guangzhou

About Kunming

Kunming is a city located in southwest China and is the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild climate, Kunming is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The city is home to several scenic spots, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stone Forest, Dian Lake, and the Western Hills. Kunming is also famous for its unique cuisine, which features a mix of Han, Yi, and Bai ethnic flavors. The city has a rich cultural history, with ancient temples and shrines like the Yuantong Temple and the Golden Temple, and it’s also a hub for Yunnan’s ethnic minority cultures, such as the Yi and Bai peoples.

Videos

Stories from Kunming

About Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a city located in southeastern China and is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolises. The city is renowned for its thriving tech industry, with companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and DJI having their headquarters in Shenzhen. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and parks. Shenzhen is also known for its modern architecture, such as the Ping An Finance Center and the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Despite its modernization, Shenzhen also has a rich history and cultural heritage, with landmarks such as the Dapeng Fortress and the Chiwan Tin Hau Temple.

Videos

Stories from Shenzhen

About Chengdu

Chengdu is a city located in the southwestern region of China, and the capital of Sichuan province. It has a population of over 18 million people, and it is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, laid-back lifestyle, and its cute and cuddly residents – the giant pandas. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where visitors can observe these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous temples, museums, and historical sites scattered throughout its boundaries. Chengdu is a city of contrasts, with ancient traditions coexisting alongside modern developments, making it an intriguing and fascinating destination for visitors to China. 

Videos

Stories from Chengdu

About Beijing

Beijing is the capital city of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 21 million people. The city has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years, and it has served as the capital of various dynasties throughout China’s history. Beijing is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in China, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. The city is also a hub for political, cultural, and educational activities, with numerous universities and research institutions located within its boundaries. Beijing is renowned for its traditional architecture, rich cuisine, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a must-visit destination for travelers to China.

Videos

Stories from Beijing

About Shanghai

Shanghai is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the eastern coast of China. It is the largest city in China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 24 million people. Shanghai is a global financial hub and a major center for international trade, with a rich history and culture that spans over 1,000 years. The city is famous for its iconic skyline, which features towering skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Shanghai is also home to a diverse culinary scene, world-class museums and art galleries, and numerous shopping districts. It is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself, making it a fascinating destination for visitors from around the world.

Videos

Stories from Shanghai

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