Chapter 6

For those of you who are trying to understand China and the Chinese people, I’m sure you’ve often wondered what the Chinese people think about their own government, their lives, and their future. As you read in this chapter, there is really two parts of the equation when it comes to understanding what the common Chinese thinks about their lives. Before we can understand their current situation, we must look at the massive changes that have taken place in China over the last 30 years. In reading through that part of Chapter 6, I hope that it has given you a greater understanding of modern life from the Chinese perspective. And especially for those Chinese who were young adults during the Cultural Revolution era, some of whom that I’ve met spent time in prison…… Today’s situation doesn’t look so bad! In fact, it looks pretty good! They’re making money, going out to eat…. Living a pretty good life. So one part of the equation is having the perspective of where these people have come from over the last 30 years.

In the second half of this chapter, I tried to hit on several of the issues that Chinese people deal with in their modern-day lives: Taiwan, Corruption in the Government, the Rural/Urban Income divide, etc. It is really interesting to talk with Chinese about Taiwan, because that is almost a non-issue with the Chinese. Taiwan IS a part of China and WILL reunited with the mainland. I don’t know if I’ve ever met a Chinese friend, whether Christian/non-Christian, who thinks otherwise. It also strikes me as very interesting that I don’t ever meet Chinese who have a deep interest in seeing China become a democracy. And it isn’t because I’m not asking people, because I try to talk to people about it all the time. But they are just not really interested in seeing Democracy come to China. Many times, especially among Taxi Drivers that I talk to, the response is something like this: ‘Well, maybe 30 years from now, but today, China has to worry about other things.’ The other things that they mention are the continued reform of sectors of Chinese society and the stability of the country.

I can’t wait to hear from some of you! What has your experience been in talking with Chinese people about their lives and thoughts on modern-day China? Looking forward to the dialogue!

Chapter 5

The topics that I write about in this chapter have to be among my favorites because with all of the changes that have happened in China, it has meant that there have been openings for new opportunities for Westerners in China. In the space for this blog entry, I’d love to hear from many of you on your take on the Ethical Foundations for China Service and ways you’ve been able to use them in your own engagement in China or that of your organization.

It was such a wonderful process that we were able to go through to get to the point of finishing the Ethical Foundations. I had entertained thoughts of a ‘statement paper’ on guidelines to use while engaging in China, with the end result being many ministries that would ‘sign on’ to adhering to these principles. As I began to bring in other China ministry leaders into the process, we agreed that ‘guidelines’ to be used for organizations may be the better way. We met on and off for two years straight until we finished the Ethical Foundations in June 2006. Since that time, we have seen at least 30 organizations worldwide adopt the Ethical Foundations and they have become a wonderful standard and a help for many to use. I hope they have been helpful for you too!

Finally, I’d also love to hear other new opportunities you’ve found that I didn’t mention. I also am available to counsel with your organization or church if you’d like to find a good fit for your service in China. Just contact me here and we can talk more about how you may be able to serve China.

Looking forward to hearing from you all on the contents of this Chapter!