Author: China Partnership

Today we pray for China’s space program. Two major announcements have been made recently from the program. First, China’s second space station, Tiangong 2, was recently successfully launched. Its first inhabitants are expected to arrive within a month. Second, China recently confirmed that its first space station, Tiangong 1, will naturally return to the earth towards the end of 2017. It is expected to mostly burn up in the atmosphere as it descends, but there is uncertainty about whether pieces will remain intact and where they might hit. Scientists do not seem overly worried about it, citing that the chances of debris hitting populated areas of the earth are incredibly small; however, the situation is a good reminder to pray for China as it continues to grow its presence on the international stage.

As we pray for the country’s many needs, we also take time to remember the many ways China glorifies its creator. This week take time to praise God for the wonders of Chinese food – and perhaps go one step further and learn how to cook one of its most famous dishes! Below you can find a link for learning how to cook Kungpao Chicken (宫保鸡丁, gōngbǎo jīdīng).

This week we continue praying through China’s major cities with Xiamen in Fujian Province. One of the first cities opened to Western imperial powers in the 19th century and later one of the first special economic zones launched during the reforms of 1980s, Xiamen is a historic port and center of commerce. Today it is one of China’s top domestic tourist destinations with many seaside attractions and interesting food.

Last week, Xiamen was hit by typhoon Meranti. Along with other east coast cities, as well as Taiwan, extensive damage was done, people were dislocated, and lives were lost. An estimated 28 deaths occurred in Xiamen.

Familial care for the elderly has long been the traditional backbone of Chinese society; however, China today faces the growing issue of children abandoning their aging parents and refusing to care for them. When this happens, there are little to no social safety nets in place to care the elderly – they are often left sick, poor, and without protection. The government is seeking solutions to this rising trend and recently instituted penalties for severe cases of elder abandonment. Yet no one knows how effective such legislation can really be. Pray this week for the church to step in as an active force for caring for the week and forgotten in Chinese society – in this case the elderly whose children cannot or will not care for them.

China’s countryside has traditionally been integral to its identity. Many of its great philosophers and poets have valorized the ideals of a rural life. Farmers have traditionally been considered the backbone of China, not only economically, but also morally and socially. This longstanding Chinese appreciation of the countryside over and above urban society was preached by Mao and honored by his successors. 

A recent report from the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy shares that two of China’s most prestigious universities have broken into the top 100 universities in world rankings. Focusing particularly on the sciences, the Shanghai Ranking put Tsinghua University in 58th and Peking University ranked 71st. As Chinese intellectuals and universities continue to develop their presence on the world stage, pray this week for the gospel to impact and shape higher learning in China.