During my May 2009 trip to China, I continued to be amazed at how quickly the modernization of China is taking place. One of the most tangible examples that I come across regularly is the modernization of the train system in China, who has had a long history of trains. My favorite way to travel from city to city is by train and China has a very extensive train system. You can almost be sure that no matter what city you’re in and what city you want to go to, there’s a train that can take you there. About a year ago, they introduce a new ‘bullet’ train service going to and from most major metro areas. A lot of what were overnight, 9 to 10 hour train rides for me are now 4 to 5 hour rides. It was as I was zipping along at 130 mph in the comfort of a new ‘bullet’ train that my mind began to think back at something one of my China mentors, Finn Torjesen told me once. He was talking to me about how China was undertaking the reform of all sectors of society: Business Law, Agriculture, Infrastructure systems like a new highway system, trains and airports. They were also reforming Civil Law, religious affairs, and urban development. One by one, they had begun in the early 1990’s the reform of the systems from the old communist ways to new, modern ways. As I ponder that job, it is an overwhelming undertaking. Just think about reform of a country of 1.3 Billion citizens and the government it takes to serve 1/5th of the world’s population. That’s quite a ship to turn around and head in the opposite direction.
As observers of China, we must also take a long view of this reform. It seems like the reform has gone quicker in some areas than in others. It might be that in some sectors the reform has not yet taken place. I know that in the area of religious affairs, many in the West have been critical of China. I believe that while some of the criticism is valid, we must take a very broad view of religious freedom in China. Does China have areas that they can improve on? Of course, just like that did in many areas of reform. Three years ago, the city of Beijing only had two subway lines. For a city of 15 million people, that is crazy! Three years ago, Beijing was not an easy place to get around. There are now 6 subway lines in Beijing, plus a new high-speed light-rail from the city to the airport. There are another 5 new subway lines opening in the next two years, making more of Beijing accessible and easier to get around. During my China Trip, I met with the Director of Foreign Affairs for the State Administration of Religious Affairs, Guo Wei. I found her to be very amiable and friendly. Guo, a woman of about 50 years old, told me that they want to make the situation better for China’s Christians. I came to tell her, among other things, that our organization wanted to help them where they may need help as a part of their reform. I suggested that her office and our organization partner together to create a series of conferences discussing the development of rule of law and religious freedom in China and the United States. Done under the banner of mutual understanding and equality, I believe this could be a wonderful way we can help. It is a lot easier to be on the sidelines and criticize than it is to pull up the sleeves and be a part of the solution.
I hope God uses us in mighty ways to be a part of the solution. To help the Chinese government understand more about rule of law. To help them see that a growing Christian population is good for China. And to educate the Western Church that reform takes time and that we need to show the Chinese love and patience. I hope for a completely open religious environment in China and for more Western partners who will join with us in our effort to serve China.
