Following Hu? Kay Danielson What Are the Possibilities Regarding the Future Leadership of China? Page 1

Fall 2010 Vol. 12 No. 3

In this issue...

Theme: Looking Perspectives and analysis for those who serve China Ahead in China

Following Hu? Kay Danielson What are the possibilities regarding the future leadership of China? Page 1

The Future of Business as Mission in China Dwight Nordstrom & Ryan Muir Business as Mission is a vehicle to benefit people economically as well as spiritually. Page 4

Family Ministry Approaches: Three Jim Nickel Models toward a Lifestlye Li Sha Following Hu? Parents have the primary responsibility to disciple their Kay Danielson children—not the church or the school. s the American political calendar gears up this year for Page 7 the mid-term elections in November, the Chinese political system also finds itself in its own variation of mid-term. We are Great Expectations Paul Lee at the halfway point of the second five-year term of the current Aleadership of General Secretary Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. Medical care and other social services are taking highly positive trends Both men ascended to their positions at was once ruled by a single emperor (or chair- throughout China. the 16th Congress of the Chinese Commu- man), today it is ruled by a committee. The Page 9 nist Party in 2002, and were affirmed to con- way the system is set up, one member of this tinue into a second term at the 17th Party body assumes the position of General Secre- Finding the People in Congress in 2007. According to Party regula- tary (and often State President, a ceremonial the People’s Republic Patrick Nachtigall tions, each must step down from their respec- post), thus becoming China’s Paramount tive posts at the end of their second five-year Leader, (although without the dictatorial China’s demography will provide the toughest term which will coincide with the convening powers of previous Paramount Leaders). He is obstacles in its march to of the 18th Party Congress in October 2012. the head of the Party. The second in the hier- super-power status. Mr. Hu and Mr. Wen are members of the archy assumes the position of Premier of the Page 12 Politburo Standing Committee (PSC), a body State Council, the body that actually runs the of nine men who run China. Where China Continued on page 3 China PERSPECTIVE

ChinaSource serves the international faith-based community Waking Up by identifying critical issues, formulating strategies, convening resources and evaluating results for to the Future the promotion of responsible and Brent Fulton, Editor effective service in China.

The purpose of the ChinaSource hina during the past three decades changing demographic and social landscape journal is to provide up-to-date has been characterized by a relent- today will help organizations that seek to be and accurate analysis of the issues and opportunities facing Christians less dynamism. Economic growth relevant into the future to better position Cwas fueled by a young and very willing themselves for effectiveness in the coming involved in China service and to provide a forum for exchanging workforce and Western markets eager for decades. Opportunities may be found in viewpoints and discussing strategies. cheaper goods. A nascent legal system each of the changes ahead, whether one The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of struggled to keep up with widespread struc- considers the “graying” of China’s popula- ChinaSource or its cooperating tural transformation, but guanxi remained tion, the growth of China’s domestic con- agencies. key to striking a business deal or securing a sumer market, a gradual but persistent ChinaSource (ISSN 1552-9223) is favorable legal decision. China’s one-child move toward rule of law, China’s potential published quarterly by ChinaSource. policy was acknowledged as bringing about leadership in the area of alternative energy, Copyright © 2010 by ChinaSource. irreversible social change, yet in the faces of or any of the numerous other significant a generation of “little emperors” its far- trends outlined in this issue. Editor: Brent Fulton reaching effects were yet indiscernible. This particular issue of ChinaSource is it- Managing Editor: Julia Grosser Market forces quickly replaced ideology self a sign of the times. This will be the last Layout & Design: Dona Diehl

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Many of the assumptions of the • Online quarterly journal plus two additional monthly articles: past three decades will soon need to be reconsidered. * $50/yr. * $82/2 yrs. (18% savings) * $120/3 yrs. (20% savings) as the guiding factor in political and busi- print edition of this journal; beginning next ness relationships; Deng Xiaoping’s dictum quarter ChinaSource will be delivered only For more information: “to get rich is glorious” was taken to heart in electronic format. Although the format is Visit: www.chinasource.org Email: [email protected] and corruption became a way of life. Eco- changing, our readers can continue to ex- nomic gain was pursued with little thought pect cutting-edge analysis of the trends ChinaSource given to the long-term human or environ- shaping China and thoughtful insights from P.O. Box 5844 mental cost. Hunger for Western technical those who serve there. In addition, our sub- Orange, CA 92863 expertise and much-needed fluency in Eng- scribers will also begin receiving the month- Phone: 714.974.2400 lish caused China to open its doors wide to ly ChinaSource Online, and will have access E-mail: [email protected] almost anyone from abroad who was will- to the entire archive of past issues of the ChinaSource reserves the right ing to come. ChinaSource journal. to transition the international Turning another page in history and at- If you need assistance in accessing the version to an electronic format to tempting to peer into China’s uncertain fu- journal electronically in the future, please improve service and offset postage rate increases. All rights reserved. ture, what becomes clear is that many of the do not hesitate to contact us at info@ch- No part of this publication may be assumptions of the past three decades will soon source.org. As always, we are grateful for reproduced or transmitted without need to be reconsidered. your support and welcome your comments prior written permission of the publisher. As the writers in this issue of China- and suggestions. Source point out, the seeds of change that were sown at the turn of the last century Brent Fulton, Ph.D., is the president of Chi- are today beginning to bear fruit in some naSource and the editor of the ChinaSource unanticipated and even surprising ways. journal. z A thoughtful appreciation of China’s

2 / Fall 2010 Following Hu? Wen), despite the fact it is widely two leaders to be elevated in 2022 will, continued from page 1 known that Mr. Hu would prefer to in fact, be one of these nine.2 government of China. have Mr. Li promoted to the post of While current Party leaders would As the terms of these men begin to General Secretary. obviously prefer to select their own pre- wind down, scholars and China watchers Earlier this year it was expected that decessors, an interesting trend called ge- are now beginning to wonder which Mr. Xi would be elevated to a position dai (skipping a generation) has leaders currently near the top of the Par- on the Central Military Commission emerged, whereby a Party Secretary has ty hierarchy will be elevated to the PSC (in preparation for his assuming the influence not over who immediately generally, and to the positions of General post of Chairman of that Commission, succeeds him, but over who succeeds Secretary and Premier respectively. While a title that Mr. Hu currently has). He his successor. Deng Xiaoping selected there are very few (if any) things that was not elevated to the post, however, Mr. Hu to replace Mr. Jiang. It is be- outsiders can know with certainty about prompting many to wonder if his rise lieved that Mr. Jiang is the prime back- the inner workings of the party or its to the top had hit a speed bump or had er (and thereby selector) of Mr. Xi. This processes, it seems fairly clear that Mr. Xi been derailed. This raised eyebrows be- would indicate then, that Mr. Hu will Jinping and Mr. Li Keqiang will assume cause it is widely know that Mr. Hu have influence over who succeeds Mr. the two top spots in China’s Fifth Gener- would prefer to be succeeded by Mr. Li Xi. The two names that seem to be ation of Leaders. That certainty rests in rather than Mr. Xi. Alice Miller, writing emerging so far are Hunan Governor, the fact that due to age and length of in the Chinese Leadership Monitor has Mr. Zhou Qiang, and Hebei Governer, service limits, all of the other seven done an in-depth review of the current Mr. Hu Chenhua. Both are believed to member of the PSC must step down at portfolios of Mr. Li and Mr. Xi and, as a be allies of Mr. Hu and are widely ex- the Congress in 2012. In other words, result, concludes that Mr. Xi still seems pected to be elevated to the PSC.3 these are the only two men who will to be in line to succeed Mr. Hu and Mr. While there are many unknowns and most likely remain on the PSC. The like- Li still in line to succeed Mr. Wen.1 uncertainties surrounding the current lihood that a new member coming on In addition to the interest in who and future leadership of China, and the body in 2012 will be elevated to the will become the next General Secretary thus the direction the nation will take, top position is extremely low. (and President) and Premier, there is it is important for us to remember that Mr. Xi and Mr. Li represent two of also much speculation on who will be God remains sovereign over all of the the competing factions within the Chi- the seven new members of the PSC. affairs of China and the world. He does nese Communist Party: The Shanghai Tradition (and some protocol) tells us not see the Communist Party in power Faction, (including the Princelings, they will most likely come from the and say “oops.” He does not look at Mr. children of high officials) and The ranks of the Provincial Party Secretaries Hu and say “oops.” We can be encour- Youth League Faction composed of and current Cabinet Ministers. This aged by the words of Daniel: “He those who have risen in power through new Gang of Nine will form the core of changes times and seasons; he removes the Communist Party Youth League. China’s Fifth Generation of Leaders. kings and sets up kings; he gives wis- The son of a former Vice-Premier, Mr. That in itself is interesting, but it will dom to the wise and knowledge to Xi was promoted to the PSC in 2007 also give us clues as to who might make those who have understanding.” For His from his position as Party Secretary in up the Sixth Generation, since the top Continued on page 6 Shanghai, a post that he had been given only a few months earlier, following the downfall of the former Secretary on ChinaSource transitioning corruption charges. He has also held to an Internet Publication. leadership posts in other booming coastal provinces that have been the Beginning with the Winter 2010 issue, the journal will be available drivers of the reform and opening only on the ChinaSource web site. movement. Mr. Li comes to the PSC A subscription to the quarterly ChinaSource journal will allow you to ac- directly from his position as Party Sec- cess it electronically online along with monthly premium content—an addi- retary in Liaoning Province, in the tional two articles each month. The subscription also includes electronic heart of China’s rust belt, and via the access to all back issues of the journal. Communist Party Youth League. Once the journal is available online, you will receive an email with links to Party protocol and hierarchy would access it. You will also be alerted to the monthly articles via an email with links to the web site. suggest that Mr. Xi will be given the For subscription rates, see page 2. For further information go to www.chi- position of General Secretary (replacing nasource.org or email [email protected]. Mr. Hu) and Mr. Li will be given the position of Premier (replacing Mr.

Fall 2010 / 3 Jim Nickel The Future of “Business as Mission” in China Dwight Nordstrom and Ryan Muir

f we take a quick look at the history of the world, we will see the fastest transformation out of poverty was 750 million people globally since 1980 (Source: World Bank); this was not through any sort of significant not-for-profit business help but via for-profit businesses. In China, since 1981, 380 million people have come out of pov- Ierty. So, if we are looking to help people in China physically, then the best way to continue this is through for-profit businesses.

Business is critical for every nation large multi-national company that amounts of foreign directed income because it is economically beneficial, would only lift people out of physical that have been invested. Along with can sustain livelihood and lift people poverty. BAM is therefore a vehicle to this is the great economic growth Chi- out of poverty (or at least increase benefit people economically as well as na has recently been having (eight to standards of living). spiritually as believers share the good ten percent annually for the last twen- Some Christians might not recog- news at the work place, live out the ty years). This makes China a great nize that for-profit business is positive, Christian life through honest work place for the “business” part of BAM healthy and necessary, and some may practices, and give glory to God. as well. say that Christian business people’s As China has one of the largest un- BAM businesses do not solve all of primary responsibility is to give to the reached populations in the world, China’s problems, but if BAM is de- church, so that the church can do the there is a huge channel for Christians ployed with the right targets, such as “real” spiritual work. However, we be- to effectively impact a lot of people Kingdom-focused goals, we believe lieve that as people are given jobs and and help more people to be set free China will benefit greatly not only in are lifted out of physical poverty, Busi- from sin. With this in mind for the terms of foreign investment, economic ness as Mission (BAM) companies can “mission” part of BAM, we also know growth, job creation, standards of liv- also help lift them out of spiritual pov- that in China there are huge potentials ing and so on, but more importantly erty as well. This is in contrast to a for doing business due to the large in terms of spiritual growth and un-

4 / Fall 2010 derstanding of our great Savior and of resources, but in ten years China will tures. At the 50/50 level there will be a what true joy he can bring us in our be an efficient and global leader in al- lot more disputes until the rule of law lives. ternative resources. The mobile phone surpasses relationships, when disputes We will next look at our predictions market was in a similar situation in the will decrease. A great business to take for the future of BAM in China. We 1990s, and China made a huge global on during this time would be arbitra- hope that for those wanting to or al- impact and became the top supplier of tion! However, many BAM businesses ready doing BAM in China, these will mobile phone parts in 2000. We now will need to continue to operate using help make their efforts more successful believe that the same will happen for both guanxi and rule of law practices in and bring glory to God. electric cars, and China will become the order to have both good legal represen- main supply and sourcing country for tation and good government relations. The Future of BAM in China electric cars and car parts. We are cur- Non-nationals will find it more Economic and political predictions rently working with a battery provider difficult to come to China: As China are very difficult to make, but from our and several energy-efficient technology becomes increasingly selective in terms twenty plus years in Beijing, China’s partners who also have recognized the of what “foreign experts” it wants, visas political center, we believe we can come prospects here in China. will become increasingly difficult to get up with a macro analysis for the next Air pollution in China will im- and visa requirements will become ten years. However, we appreciate the prove: However, in areas where the rule more stringent. There will be more op- fact that China is very big and is now of law is not enforced, water pollution portunity for doing business in China, looked at by many large multi-national will not improve and China will possi- but it will be harder for “fake-run” or companies as multiple varied markets; bly have several big environmental is- “cover” business. This is possibly due to therefore, it is hard to make nationwide sues; for example, mercury leakages and the fact that many “home” graduates predictions. other large problems. are now able to compete with foreign Income gap to increase: The income/wealth gap will continue to wid- en (but more slowly than in the past) as many regardless of government policies. China does not need Labor issues to grow: The labor is- foreign experts as previously. sues will continue to grow in places where migrant workers come from Hu- nan and Sichuan, but east central Oil shortage consequences: China, graduates. China does not need as (Yangtze Delta) and north China will in the 1980s, was a net exporter in oil. many foreign experts as previously. Visa not experience the same level of labor However, over the next ten years it will requirements will get harder (currently shortages. Through our many recent become the world’s second largest im- for a work visa, you need proof of two site feasibility studies, we are still find- porter. This means it will become more years related work experience and a ing that east central and north China prone to trade wars and skirmishes due graduation certificate; two years ago have the most compelling business po- to oil shortages. you did not need these). BAM busi- tentials in terms of labor, while trying Guanxi and rule of law: Business nesses need to have successful visa-cre- to go west is really difficult. This is per- disputes are on the rise in China. Tradi- ating abilities to be able to get more haps unfortunate because the consider- tional methods of decision-making that BAM people into China. As many non- ably larger unreached population in the would have been decided by guanxi, nationals increasingly want to make west will not benefit from large BAM- where relationships with the right gov- China their home, this will become focused companies. ernment official would get you your ap- more and more of an issue. In the Inflation to increase: Over the next proval or certificate, are now shifting 1980s, not many people thought of ten years, we do expect inflation to over, more and more, to the rule of law. staying in China long term (five plus moderately increase, with the current Slow steps are being taken towards years), so this was not a problem. This Consumer Price Index (CPI) at three to business decisions being decided solely also means there is an increased need four percent to increase to around six on the rule of law rather than solely on for agencies and groups to have an in- percent. guanxi. This will affect decisions about country focus to look after their ever- China to become the top electric doing business or not doing business. increasing overseas workers and help car manufacturer: The World Bank, in We believe relationships currently still them get valid long-term visas. 1990, said the biggest drain on China make up seventy percent of the deci- Labor force becoming more stable was government policy; since then, this sion-making power compared to thirty when working away from their home- has improved many times over. The sec- percent according to rule of law. This towns: In the 1980s, many Chinese ond biggest drain was the inefficient use will change as China’s legal system ma- people were willing to work away from

Fall 2010 / 5 Corporate Reasons for Coming to China Following Hu? continued from page 3 Reasons for coming Reasons for coming own purposes, and for this time, He has Factors to China before: to China now: ordained the leaders of China. Our Cheap parts 1st 4th response should be that of Daniel’s: Manufacturing for export 2nd 3rd “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and Cheap, low cost 3rd 2nd educated labor might.” For an exhaustive, detailed analysis Local Market 4th 1st of the names and biographies of the possible Politburo and Politburo Stand- home for long periods, but in the ways been hard work; twenty years ago ing Committee Members, see the fol- 1990s, especially by the late 1990s, peo- it was hard too! For the business part lowing three articles by Cheng Li: ple were becoming less and less willing of BAM, some of the old challenges “China s Mid-term Jockeying: to do this for more than two years. exist, but there are also new ones, for Gearing up for 2012: Provincial Chiefs” However, with China building miles example, higher taxes. The mission (China Leadership Monitor) www. and miles of high-speed trains criss- part of BAM has definitely changed. hoover.org/publications/china-leader- crossing hundreds of cities across Chi- The new, younger, born post-1980s ship-monitor/article/5330 na, the increasing availability of cheap generation is less willing to ask ques- “China’s Mid-term Jockeying: local flights, national phone calls be- tions and meet with you outside work. Gearing Up for 2012: Cabinet Minis- coming cheaper and the increase of In- Twenty years ago, there was not the ters” (China Leadership Monitor) www. ternet access (now approaching entertainment around to fill the spiri- hoover.org/publications/china-leader- one-third of Chinese homes), many tual void—so people would be quite ship-monitor/article/5273 people are more willing to live away willing to spend time with you chat- “China’s Mid-term Jockeying: from their home towns for longer peri- ting about life-changing issues. Never- Gearing Up for 2012: The Military” ods of time. theless, today, their hearts are still very (China Leadership Monitor) www. Local home-grown companies be- open. hoover.org/publications/china-leader- come biggest threat to foreign compa- We are doing Business as Mission in ship-monitor/article/35466 nies: With proper Human Resource China initially to help improve the See also “Hu, Wen, and Why” (Kay management, foreign-owned companies economic situation of the people; Danielson, China 20/20, December can maintain their core advantages. The more importantly, we practice BAM so 2007) www.chsource.org/site/index. best equation for this is a foreign-owner that they may know salvation through php?option=com_content&view=article with key Chinese leaders, which seems Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. &id=500%3Ahu-wen-and-why&catid= to be the most successful setup at the So, if you are in China doing BAM 66%3Apolitics&Itemid=102&lang=en moment. and it’s tough, be encouraged and keep Corporate reasons for coming to persevering! We are doing BAM for Endnotes China will continue to change (see the glory of Him who sent us and not 1. “The Preparation of Li Keqiang” (by Al- chart above): our own glory. As for us, we cannot ice Miller, China Leadership Monitor, Winter Over the past twenty 2010) www.hoover.org/publications/china-lead- plus years, we have noticed the weight- imagine a more exciting place to do ership-monitor/article/5327. ing of these different factors and their BAM. At the moment, and for the 2. “The 18th Central Committee Politburo: changing positions which will contin- foreseeable future, China has the great- A Quixotic, Foolhardy, Rashly Speculative, but ue to change as China develops. est need and the greatest potential. Nonetheless Ruthlessly Reasoned Projection” (by Alice Miller, China Leadership Monitor, Spring 2010) www.hoover.org/publications/chi- Summary Dwight Nordstrom, B.A., M.B.A. is na-leadership-monitor/article/35461. We are seeing more and more im- chairman of Pacific Resources Interna- 3. “Hu Jintao Picks Core Sixth Generation provement in the rule of law, infra- tional (PRI), a privately-held USA Hold- Leaders” (by Willy Lam, Jamestown Foundation, structure development, educational ing Company for manufacturing China Brief, May 15, 2010) www.jamestown. development and resource develop- investments in China, and a twenty year org/programs/chinabrief/single/?tx_ttnews[tt_ China BAM veteran. Ryan Muir, B.Sc. news]=34988&tx_ttnews[backPid]=459&no_ ment. We believe that over the next cache=1 ten years rich areas will continue to get is a consultant of PRI. He has an econom- ics background and has lived in China for richer, while poor areas will get richer Kay Danielson has lived and worked in the last four years. For more information at a slower rate, regardless of govern- China for over 20 years. She currently go to www.priusa.com or contact: ryan. ment policy. works in the field of cross-cultural train- [email protected]. z Doing well at BAM in China has al- ing and consulting. z

6 / Fall 2010 Jim Nickel Family Ministry Approaches: Three Models toward a Lifesyle ) Li Sha ( he church’s role is to nurture, encourage and equip parents to train and disciple their own child. This was the main theme of my article in the summer edition of the ChinaSource journal titled, “As the Family Goes, So Goes the Church.” The local church has the responsibility to engage and equip parents to be spiritual leaders of their child. God’sT Word teaches that parents have the primary responsibility to disciple their child—not the church or the school.

Parents have become distracted by need to “rethink” the way we mentor one previously performed in-house—to the self-imposed pressure to help their and disciple children. an external provider. In the “child de- child excel intellectually and are not Basically, there are three approaches velopment world,” we have done a fair giving as much attention to mentoring that families can take in the spiritual bit of outsourcing. This approach has their child to know, love and serve God. development of children: worked very well in helping our chil- Church leaders in China must reclaim dren learn about analytic geometry, al- their responsibility to nurture the spiri- 1. The “Outsourcing” gebraic formulas and the reduction tual life of parents so that they, in turn, Approach reaction in a chemistry experiment. can train their own child spiritually. Drop off your kids at our door (school, Children and youth do need “experts” During the last few years, there has church, community center) for all your ac- in certain academic areas. However, in been a growing realization in the ademic, athletic and spiritual training the area of spiritual training and disci- church around the world of the need to needs. We have teachers, coaches, tutors pleship, we may have adopted this develop far more effective ministries and curriculum so that you (parents) don’t method without thinking through all with children and youth. Leaders recog- need to take your time. We are the profes- the implications and impact on chil- nize that they have not given proper at- sionals and we know what is best to teach dren. tention to targeting this demographic and train your child. Too many Christian parents have ab- group. In response, there has been an The term “outsourcing” involves dicated their responsibility to the local increasing realization in China of the contracting out a function—commonly church and school. This way of think-

Fall 2010 / 7 ing has created a perception that church of the week. Daily quiet times and reg- cultural and socio-economic back- workers are the experts in training chil- ular family times are intentionally fo- ground. ConneXions is a Christ-cen- dren spiritually and parents feel inade- cused activities each day to help us tered holistic approach that quate. The natural outcome of this live the rest of the day devoted to incorporates training so that the disci- approach is that parents feel they have God. So these focused times of spiri- ple will know Christ, live in supportive fulfilled their responsibility for spiritual tual growth are ways to bring us into and accountable community, have in- training by delegating it to the church. a lifestyle of worshipping and serving tegrity (character), learn his calling and We have learned from research that par- God and others. develop gifts and knowledge to serve ents are two to three times more influ- This approach may be helpful as par- God and others. Developed by Mal- ential in passing on faith to their ents begin to realize their responsibility colm Webber, Executive Director of children than any church program. to train their children in the faith. LeaderSource, this model is called the However, this method does have signifi- “5C Approach.” A healthy Christian 2. The “Compartmentalized” cant weaknesses: disciple is growing in all five C’s— Approach • The spiritual training is not done Christ, community, character, calling Use this devotion and DVD one night within the context of everyday life so and competencies. It is the way Jesus a week during a “family night” to teach the child will begin to compartmental- built his “spiritual sons” (the disciples) your child Bible stories and godly princi- ize his own spiritual life. A young per- with a holistic goal in mind (5 C’s), and ples. Your child will be entertained and son may begin to believe that his he used a transformational, holistic pro- you have a tool to help train your child to spiritual life is what is done at church, cess of four dynamics—spiritual, rela- love and serve God. Sunday school and youth group and tional, experiential and instructional.* This approach will help ensure that not bring his faith into the classroom or In Deuteronomy 6:7, God gives par- your family is taking time out to have into conversations with his friends. ents a practical guide for the spiritual some fun and read God’s Word togeth- • Parents still rely on the church nurture of their children: er. The way it works is for the church for the bulk of their child’s spiritual And these words which I command you to help their families identify resource training. today shall be in your heart. You shall books and other tools for them to have • As well intended as the family re- teach them diligently to your children and a “family night.” Dad and mom may source tools are, they are not contextu- shall talk of them when you sit in your lead a game, read a passage from the alized to the individualized needs of house, when you walk by the way, when Bible and pray together. This is a very each child. you lie down, and when you rise up. good part of family discipleship. Dads Churches and families who use the This passage tells parents to teach and moms who set aside a specific “compartmentalized” approach do have God’s truths and then talk about them. time to pray and read God’s Word are a vision for the spiritual discipleship of Parents ought to have interactive dis- taking great steps in growing faith in children and youth. If, however, this is cussions with their child about how to their child. the only approach used, a holistic live out these truths. “Teaching” implies Another way that spiritual develop- Christian worldview is not developed a concentrated, intentional time of fam- ment is compartmentalized for children because the training is divorced from ily Bible study. “Talking” implies more and youth is through typical church everyday life. Spiritual training becomes casual discussions of godly principles. programming. Youth leaders take care just another activity in a child’s life and The rest of verse seven explains that of the youth during a midweek evening is not integrated into every part of life. these “talks” are to take place during the where games, food and a short teaching normal activities of the day. Children are offered. On Sunday mornings, chil- 3. The “Family ConneXions” can benefit most when parents tie real dren’s leaders teach children Bible les- Approach life experiences together with God’s sons and send them out the door with Our church will equip you (mom and viewpoint. very little connection with a parent. As dad) to train your child to know, love, A healthy church can be created a result, parents of youth and children and serve God. We will nurture your own through a comprehensive and integrat- have no idea what has been taught dur- spiritual life so that you can pass that on ed “Family ConneXions” approach in ing the youth group or Sunday school to your child, and we will help you devel- every program of the church. In short, time and therefore cannot incorporate op strategies, methods and tools for you to every ministry of the church equips the truth into everyday life. disciple your own children. family to become Christ-centered, God’s plan for one day a week to be The “Family ConneXions” model is Community-engaged, Character-build- a Sabbath was not a plan for compart- an approach that works well at church ing, Calling-focused and Competency- mentalization of worship. It was a plan and at home. This approach when ap- driven. The model allows church for an intentional focus on one day to plied in the home provides a framework leaders to look at every ministry of the help us worship as a lifestyle for the rest that works in every family, regardless of Continued on page 11

8 / Fall 2010 Jim Nickel Great Expectations Paul Lee our decades ago, the Cultural Revolution was at its peak. Destruction of the existing systems and thinking rushed across the nation of China. Rather than producing the intended clarity in ideology and practice, a broad emptiness was left behind. That decade proved, in retrospect, to be the focused tearing down of much of what had been established in the previousF several millennia; it became an obvious fulcrum in Chinese history. Focused change—and more importantly, the acceptance of change—became the way forward. The revolution had begun.

Three decades ago, the entire picture China was being rebuilt, with increas- Change is no longer a word which had been redrawn. China was looking ing focus and clarity. evokes fear and distrust in every Chi- ahead onto a very foggy path. Mao was Looking back, it has been one of the nese heart. Instead, it has become the gone. There were many questions and most productive and positive times in traveling companion, the guide, for few clear answers. The way of advance the several millennia that China has charting the journey. Mao’s successors, was not obvious. With time, however, been around. The narrow path through Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin, by and slowly at first, the leadership’s re- the fog is now a superhighway, and the embracing change, very intentionally solve to step forward into the unknown way forward has become much more ob- steered this fifth of the world consis- grew more fervent. Each successful step vious. There are still a few obstacles lying tently toward a brighter future and life. forward strengthened the next. The de- in the roadway ahead, but the focus and I am a Western physician. China has sire and need for change began defining intentionality have built much confi- been my home for two of these past decisions and shaping policy. The real dence and experience for navigation. three decades of change. I have watched revolution was beginning to take shape. The embracing of change by the with much encouragement (though it Freedoms were increased, slowly but government as well as the culture—the often was filtered through the discour- surely. The New Socialist Economic Chinese people at all levels—is the driv- agement of existing realities) as the im- Policies (read: capitalism) year by year ing force which has moved and will pact of the country’s embrace of change replaced the old socialist economic continue to move the history of the has taken effect. My expectation is that policies. Infrastructure was built, road Middle Kingdom in a positive direc- I will be even more encouraged over the by road, school by school, city by city. tion. Mao’s embrace of revolution has, next two decades. Much of the transfor- Each successive five-year plan, times in a strange way, become the founda- mation I have seen and have come to six, refocused on the next essential tion of much of what is today trans- further expect is in the area of my pro- transformational group of projects. forming China in positive ways. fession. I have been asked to describe

Fall 2010 / 9 here what direction medical care and in China. These things are real, and workers who seem to have gained a other social services will take in China even, in many places, predominant. The strong desire to do their job well. The and what will drive that change. access rural and poor people have to rea- rate at which many physicians have It is the trend in medical/social ser- sonable health care is still abysmal in caught up to the knowledge level of the vices that I want to describe here, not most places. People with leprosy, HIV, West, and the (slower, but sure) rate at the present reality. The trend, however, disabilities, TB, and many other com- which this competence in diagnosing can only be accurately described by mon illnesses are definitely not receiving and caring for patients is becoming looking at past and present realities. anything near what the West would con- more commonly practiced is over- Twenty years ago, the best and most sider reasonable health services. whelming. Whereas twenty years ago highly educated doctors in the provin- However, the real story is the highly one was hard put to find a physician cial level hospitals where I worked, positive trend that medical care and oth- who even knew how to diagnose well, were, to be honest, vastly incompetent, er social services are taking throughout today, especially among the younger highly corrupt, poorly educated, cultur- China. That is all we have time for here. doctors, a hunger for better under- ally controlled, without significant con- I am proposing that there are six standing and practice is becoming the cern for the welfare of the patient and driving forces which have been, and are norm at higher levels and filtering generally proud of what they saw as a continuing, and should be expected to down into lower levels very quickly. great medical system. They had never continue to effect positive change and 4. Increasing Compassion and Car- seen anything else, and moving to lower transform the delivery of healthcare and ing in the Culture. I call this the Wen level hospitals proved that their ap- other social services to the Chinese peo- Jiabao Effect. There is surely a contin- proach and education were far better. ple. These are the following. ued need for growth here, but twenty The level of health care delivery in the 1. An Improving Context. More years ago it was a rare thing to find a best hospitals in the province was liter- people-favoring politics/policy, a con- doctor who cared much whether the ally 60 or 70 years behind the West. stantly more positive socio-economic patient lived or died. Medicine was just The system itself was built on a founda- setting, developing insurance systems, a job and cultural thinking placed little tion of rust, termites and poor initial increasing access, better education, bet- value on the life of someone outside construction. Pride, politics, corruption ter infrastructure (clinics, hospitals, one’s circle of relationships. If the pa- and crippling cultural practices kept equipment, roads, communications, tient suffered or died, nobody cared. I most patients from receiving much, if etc.) and so on are all indirectly having often saw people die simply to protect any, true medical care. I could fill books a positive impact on how effectively the the face of the departmental director or with sad examples of every aspect of government can deliver health services. some other person on the staff. Today, I what I have stated here, but space does 2. Fighting Corruption. Though it could quickly name several dozen doc- not allow for that. I watched many peo- is still a major detriment to the func- tors in our area who sincerely care ple die, most unnecessarily, because tion of the health system, year after year about their patients and go out of their fear, culture, corruption and a crippled we observe both a growing governmen- way to do things the system would system with nearly nonexistent stan- tal opposition to these practices as well deem unnecessary in order to bring bet- dards of practice would not allow/ac- as a growing group of healthcare work- ter care, more comfort and simply im- cept my intervention. Where I ers who simply reject this foundation proved medical practice to patients they intervened, and (literally) saved people’s within the system. Where ten years ago have no relationship with. There is lives, I was then no longer welcome, corruption of various approaches was clearly a growing consideration of oth- even if I did so with the strongest dis- nearly impossible for a patient to avoid ers taking place. I see Wen Jiabao mod- cretion and care. As one moved down in a simple visit to the doctor, today it eling this sincere caring for the little in the system (there were six levels of is becoming increasingly common to people. I see our provincial director of doctor with the lowest having a sixth to find entire hospitals where (often be- the Bureau of Health, for the first time a ninth-grade education followed by cause the director has decided to follow of which I am aware, being someone less than a year of medical education), his heart and care for the people instead who is willing to step out and use his po- the realities of patient care became rap- of only for the financial greed of the sition to truly impact a position which idly more dismal and dysfunctional. staff) corruption is becoming a thing of regularly stands up for the health care Today, the trend is strongly positive. the past. needs of the people, especially the poor I could easily and extensively list and tell 3. Rapidly Growing Competence. and disenfranchised. We saw the re- stories of present-day corruption, incom- Twenty years ago there was little incen- sponse of the people to the needs and petence, continuing cultural issues, a tive to do a better job, to be a more ef- hurting created by the Sichuan earth- lack of compassion and consideration for fective physician. Today there are many quake. We are witnessing a change in the the patients and other issues which are medical education institutions, hospital culture which is quite clear. It is quickly abundant within the health care system directors, and individual healthcare becoming more acceptable and practiced

10 / Fall 2010 to have compassion and consideration access to healthcare and social services be what God called them to be. Several for others, even when one does not have over the past three decades, and they examples of churches equipping parents any relationship with them. may look forward with great expecta- include: 5. A Movement from Communism tions to even more rapid improvements • Vision Retreats where an older toward Capitalism. When there is a over the next decade. couple takes a group of single parents dollar to be made, people will begin to and married couples away for a time to deliver a service. Access to reasonable Paul Lee is a long-time worker in China. z grow spiritually in their own faith walk healthcare is definitely increasing as the and to discuss ways to intentionally cre- system becomes more capitalist. Of Family Ministry Approaches ate opportunities for spiritual growth in course, there are many negatives to this continued from page 8 their families. as well. Exploitation and mercenary church through the “Family ConneX- • Instructional Guides on Biblical practices will always increase where capi- ions” lens. Leaders of the church chal- Truth for parents to teach their chil- talist medical systems are in place. How- lenge men to be spiritual leaders in dren doctrine. Some churches around ever, the other end of the spectrum is their homes. Likewise, they challenge the world still use a “catechism” which also very much happening. A surgeon older women to mentor younger wom- contains a number of important ques- friend of mine, at my urging, finally left en to teach their children biblical truths tions about basic Christian doctrine. his hospital, tired of delivering substan- in a relevant way. Youth leaders can The local church can help parents teach dard care, cheating people and having to partner with parents so that they can be biblical truth to children in an age-ap- bow down to the hierarchy there. He the bridge of biblical truth in all areas propriate and engaging way. For exam- started a private surgery clinic which of life. Parents could help out during ple, one pastor with a passion for family provides higher quality, lower cost specif- youth group service-oriented activities discipleship has created a song-version ic surgeries to those who need them. The or become prayer intercessors. of a catechism in English called “The local hospitals were nearly shut down by This approach is a lifestyle, not a Story of God and Man.” his move. Their response was to begin program. Church leaders mentor par- Resource: The local church can re- providing higher quality, lower cost sur- ents so that they bring Christ and source parents with books, DVDS, cur- geries. This trend is going on in many Christ-like living into the center of ev- riculum, mentors and prayer aspects of the system. Free commerce is ery family instead of only developing intercessors. These resources can be driving improvement in a broad array of more programs. adapted by parents so that they fit the delivering what the people need. needs of each member of the family. 6. A More Free-to-Serve and In- Establishing Lifestyle Partner: The local church can and creasingly Inspired and Empowered Family Discipleship should partner with parents as they Church. Certainly, as freedoms have in- The following are five practical ways raise their children as spiritual champi- creased and believers have become em- that churches can encourage lifestyle ons. It is in the context of our family re- powered, the Spirit has moved many to family discipleship. lationships and our larger church become involved in caring for those who Nurture: Church leaders can nurture community where we fully realize what would otherwise go without. Medical the spiritual life of parents so that they it means to live in Christ. practitioners are coming to Christ, and can pass on that spiritual life to their May God, who gives this patience and those who already know him are becom- children. As it has been said: “We cannot encouragement, help you live in complete ing bolder and being led by the Spirit pass on what we don’t have.” Deuterono- harmony with each other, as is fitting for into a broad array of service ministries. my 6:4-5 is addressed to parents who are followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you Most of them are simply becoming exhorted to love the LORD with all can join together with one voice, giving models of the sort of values that doctors their heart, soul and strength. Parents praise and glory to God, the Father of our must have in order to be both profes- model love for God to their children. Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:5-6 NLT) sionally excellent and sincerely compas- Envision: Church leaders can inspire sionate and loving toward those for and mobilize parents to realize their re- *See the article “The 4/14 Window: Raising up a New Generation of Leaders” in the April whom they care. sponsibility to be the primary spiritual 2010 edition of ChinaSource Online. There are many examples and other nurturers of their kids. This could be influences which I have no space to done by the pastor teaching on Sunday Li Sha ( ) has been serving in Chi- present. The trends, however, are clearly mornings, cell groups discussing the nese ministry since 1991. She was the very encouraging. The government, the importance of spiritual leadership in the president of a student exchange organiza- culture, and therefore the healthcare home or one-day events to ignite vision tion in the 1990s before becoming the Di- system, have embraced positive change. for family discipleship. rector of Strategic Partnerships for a leader The upward trend will continue. The Equip: The local church can fulfill development ministry. She is now serving Chinese people have enjoyed increased the critical role of equipping parents to in family ministry. z

Fall 2010 / 11 PEOPLES of China who will take care of them for the lat- ter decades of their life. Elder mistreat- ment, which may include physical abuse, is no longer unheard of in China, and it may be that in the future, there will Finding the People be movements and charities that focus on preventing the abuse of the elderly. Meanwhile, China’s children are revered, in the People’s Republic leading some to suspect that the recent Patrick Nachtigall spate of school attacks in China comes from a growing resentment toward the here are numerous challenges mographic problem: the bulk of China’s spoiled little emperor generation of chil- that could derail China’s march workforce will be retiring soon. China’s dren. The P.R.C.’s older policies are to super-power status including median age will increase from 30 to 41 coming back to haunt their dreams of at- aT collapse of the banking system, region- by 2030 and reach 45 by 2050.1 China’s taining economic superpower status. al disintegration, environmental disaster, working population (ages 15 to 59) will and military miscalculations. However, fall as a total percentage of the popula- Who Will Hold Up Half perhaps the most likely factor to prevent tion. The shrinking labor pool will the Sky? China’s rise will be the one the govern- mean a greater need for migrants from In the 1950s, the Great Leap For- ment can least do anything about: de- within China and immigrants from be- ward produced a society that viewed it mography. China, as always, has too yond. With too few people from the as their patriotic duty to produce chil- many people; now, however, it is also younger generations in the work force dren. To the regime, it seemed like a lacking in females, youth, and sooner even now, China’s retired workers will good idea at the time. However, the rather than later, a workforce to support be pressed to receive the government end result was a population deemed too its retired population. support they need in such a poor coun- large to sustain economic development try. Ironically, China now needs more and stability. China then implemented The People are Plentiful, people (at least of a certain age) to be- the one-child policy in 1979, which but the Workers are Few come a top-tier country economically. slowed the growth rate, but left too few In 1797, Robert Thomas Malthus With an aging population and not children—particularly too few females wrote An Essay on Principles of Popula- enough people contributing to the in post-Mao generations. tion which argued that there were natu- country’s coffers, the government’s safe- Throughout Han Chinese history, ral limits to unchecked population ty net will need to be supplemented by male children were often considered growth. Overpopulation would ulti- families taking care of each other. One more valuable than female children mately be reversed by famine and dis- would think that China, of all places, since it was believed they would care for ease. Modern China would have given should be able to take care of its elder- aging parents. Women, on the other Malthus a heart attack—a nation of 1.3 ly due to its emphasis on strong filial hand, required dowries and were always billion people modernizing faster and at ties. Throughout China’s history, the lost to the husband’s family. Agrarian so- a bigger scale than any nation in histo- Confucian emphasis on strong family cieties like China depended on large ry. China’s need for natural resources is and community bonds has helped Chi- families preferably with many male off- being felt from Bolivia to Zambia. na’s aged survive the harshness of later spring. The abortion of millions of fe- With China having to import rice from years. But this traditional ethos is now male fetuses that resulted from the Thailand, fast-food chains serving mil- being challenged by a more individual- one-child policy has been labeled lions of customers each day, and Chi- istic, Western mindset which has people gendercide, leading this nation to suffer nese youth struggling with obesity, the preferring to live alone and focus on the extreme imbalances. China’s govern- amount of food and natural resources nuclear family. In today’s China, many ment, still needing population growth to needed to give the world’s most popu- women can now envision a life without remain low, changed tactics, and created lous country energy is staggering. It is a husband (as Japanese women start- laws to prevent the use of ultrasound yet to be seen whether the world could ed to in the last decade), and if they do technology for selective abortions. support a prosperous China with a large marry, they may no longer want the Estimates about China’s sex ratio middle and upper class making South burden of dealing with the husband‘s vary, but according to the Chinese Korean or American level wages. in-laws. The timing could not be worse. Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), by However, China may never develop The move away from filial piety as life- 2020, China will have between 30 and that high per capita, prosperous, mid- expectancies in China grow dramatically 40 million more men under the age of dle-class due to another significant de- is leaving many older people to wonder 19 than there are women. This is the

12 / Fall 2010 equivalent of every young male in the may keep China tame in the future. For United States not having the potential those concerned that China may choose INTERCESSORY notes to find a partner.2 According to CASS, to become a militarily aggressive super- the current ratio in China is 123 boys power threatening neighbors and start- for every 100 girls. Rural China has an ing wars, the lack of young people and ______even higher rate. In villages throughout the already dangerous imbalance of men the country, it is clear that there are too to women may rule out high stakes mili- ______please pray few females, as is evidenced by villages tary adventures. ______1. For increased freedom with no women of marrying age and the China is trying to re-educate its people ______for China’s Christians thriving industries of sexual slavery and to value women and it may, over time, ______child kidnapping. Abductions are done eradicate the anti-female mindset. Fur- as leadership changes on females to capture and reserve brides thermore, modernization may enable old- ______take place over the next for sons. Boys are captured to be the er people to benefit from a bio-tech ______decade. male heir for a family with no sons. Chi- revolution. The baby-boomers in America ______nese law enforcement has not been able (and in other developed countries) are al- ______2. For encouragement to keep up with the abductions leaving ready introducing a lot of products on the ______and perseverance for many families in China existing in a si- market to keep themselves healthy and ______China’s Christian lent state of mourning. productive. Their parents are living sur- ______business people as they There are other ways of dealing with prisingly long lives and retaining a high ______the shortage. Some Chinese men are quality of life. These large demographic continue to face marked ______dealing with the imbalance by choosing groups of aging people will most likely changes in the coming to marry women from Taiwan. Homo- transform the world into a place where ______years. Pray that they will sexuality, once considered taboo, is now people retire later, accomplish more and ______have the courage to more prevalent, particularly in the cities. support their nation-states financially by ______continue applying biblical The greatest fears, however, for countries continuing to pay tax. ______principles to their daily facing an excess population of unmarried For a country like China, however, ______lives and businesses. males, is that the nation will be destabi- there is not much time. The population ______lized by crime waves or war. With more is already very old, and the economy is ______3. That Christian parents Chinese women starting to view mar- not developed enough to utilize older ______riage as optional, and modernization people to the extent that they can be will reclaim their ______leading to smaller families, China’s “bare used in the developed world. A consider- responsibility for branches” as the men are called, will find ably higher per capita gross domestic ______discipling their it difficult to find a suitable mate. product would also be needed by the el- ______children and teaching A large population of frustrated, un- derly in order to not get left behind in ______them biblical living. Pray married males is potentially threatening these opening decades of the 21st centu- ______that churches will to China’s future, but the problems for ry. China in 2030 could be an older, wis- ______support and aid them in China do not stop there. A lack of er, and wealthier place, but it is ______this endeavor. women in the country means a lack of demography, not foreign competitors ______women in the workforce generating that will provide the toughest obstacles ______wealth and paying taxes. Furthermore, to assuming its place as the wealthiest, 4. That the positive the innovation, creativity and manage- most powerful nation in the world. ______trends in medical and ment skills that women can bring to ______social services will any economy will be absent, or like Ja- Endnotes ______continue. Give praise for pan, will create limitations to the econ- 1. Somnath Chatterji, et al., “The Health of ______Aging Populations in China and India.” Health the improved treatment omy as a result of women not being Affairs 27, no. 4. (2008). 1052-1063. ______and conditions that are sufficiently empowered. 2. “The worldwide war on baby girls.” Econo- ______occurring. mist 394.8672 (2010): 77-80. ______A Silver Lining? ______Is there a silver lining in all of this for Patrick Nachtigall is the author of China? Many of these challenges are the Passport of Faith: A Christian’s Encoun- result of the success of the P.R.C. in in- ter with World Religions and Faith in creasing life expectancies and making the Future: Christianity’s Interface with improvements in medicine, food and hy- Globalization. He received an M.A. from giene. A healthy but older population Yale University and lives in Berlin. z

Fall 2010 / 13 description of The Great Wall as it Book REVIEW morphs from brick or stone to tamped earth, depending on locally available building materials, and from national barrier to national sym- bol. In contrast to the Country Driving popular view, Hessler agrees with David Spin- Country Driving: A Journey through tory. But like his other dler that the Ming Walls China from Farm to Factory by Peter two books, River Town really worked as part of an Hessler. Harper (New York: 2010), 438pp. (2001) and Oracle overall defensive strategy. ISBN 978-0-06-180409-0, $27.99. Bones (2006), this one Naturally, a book like is vastly informative this is filled with travel lore Reviewed by Wayne Martindale and delivers vintage and sprinkled with statis- Hessler: a happy tics. The country’s new mo- ou sense adventure when you blend of in-depth bility and explosive learn that Hessler gets a Chinese personal observation, development has been fu- driver’s license in 2001, rents a journalistic investiga- eled by massive government Chinese-madeY Jeep Cherokee in Bei- tion, historical re- investment in nationwide jing, and loads it with such traveling es- search—and wit. road building on the sentials as Oreos, Dove bars, Gatorade In each section, the number of American model. Beijing and Coke to explore along the farthest subthemes and customs woven artfully alone has over a thousand new drivers reaches of the Great Wall until it disap- into the main narrative are enormous. a day, despite the expensive and time- pears in the barren Gobi desert in west- We learn a great deal about driving and consuming requirements of a medical ern Gansu province. In two long village life in Book I; education, hospi- exam, written exam, technical course, journeys and several short ones, Hessler tals, and small-town politics in Book and two-day driving test often irrele- logs 7,000 miles of solo travels—not II; and business and economic devel- vant to real driving. recommended, even if you have lived in opment in Book III. Hesssler includes We all have funny (and terrifying) sto- China for several years and are fluent in a few notes on sources, but no index, ries about learning to drive, but imagine a the language like Hessler. alas, which would include everything whole country learning to drive at the same time. The book is worth it for the entertainment value. For example, every- We all have funny (and terrifying) one who has visited China knows that its drivers love their horns. But what does all stories about learning to drive, but imagine a that honking mean? Hessler interprets the whole country learning to drive at the same time. length and duration of the blasts as though it were a tonal language, some- thing on the order of Cantonese in its But the Wall trip is only the first of from funerals to feng shui, and health complexity. On the grim side, in 2001, three long explorations. Altogether, care to child care. China had one-fifth the number of cars as Country Driving covers a large swath of Book I, The Wall, recounts a journey the U. S., but twice the number of fatali- China over a seven-year stretch and is or- on newly opened roads, guided by sight ties. By the first quarter 2009, Chinese ganized into three roughly chronological of the Great Wall and using a semi-reli- out-paced Americans in purchasing more books or parts called: The Wall, The Vil- able Chinese atlas published by Sino- vehicles, and by 2020, China will have lage, The Factory. maps. Along the small towns more or more roads than the U.S. Each part begins with a map of the less near the Wall, we glimpse the de- Hessler’s drive along the Great Wall area chronicled. If time or interest is lim- populating villages, where the older gen- through Inner Mongolia occasions ited, any of the three sections can be eration cares for the children, but where reflections on the complex relationship read alone easily enough. young people (mostly young women in between the Han Chinese and the Mon- The basic premises of Peter Hessler’s city clothes and high heels) are only to gols. He stops to visit the mausoleum of Country Driving will not be new to regu- be seen hitchhiking for a visit home. In Genghis Khan—there’s no body; a fake lar readers of ChinaSource: China is in many of these villages, the kids may be mausoleum with fake history, making the midst of the largest urban migration the last generation to grow up there. the Khan out to be a Chinese hero. In and most rapid industrialization in his- This section has lots of history and reality, the Mongol conquest that

14 / Fall 2010 launched the Yuan dynasty in 1279 banqueting requirements to curry busi- the whole economic zone in Lishui is spurred the massive wall-building of the ness and political favor—are the chief mid-expansion to four times its original Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to repulse concerns of this section. The family’s size, the land claimed by leveling anoth- the raiding by the descendents of the older mentally impaired child gives occa- er four hundred mountains. Khan’s countrymen. These are the walls sion for observation on policy and atti- Such economic zones are magnets of popular imagination. tudes regarding disability. for both entrepreneurs and laborers, full Book II, The Village, follows six years In the first book, Hessler describes the of double dealing, broken promises, of growth in a sleepy village named San- villages that are emptying out. In the and trial and error. This look at the cha, where Hessler has found a writer’s third and final “book,” he describes new harsh world of Chinese business and retreat. It is north of Beijing and just be- cities filling up with industry. This time factory life can be supplemented by yond the first wall in the honeycomb Hessler rents a car in the established Factory Girls: From Village to City in a construction of The Great Wall. Within business city of Wenzhou and follows a Changing China (2008), a recent suc- the village, Hessler follows the Wei fami- two-lane road, slated to become an ex- cessful book written by Hessler’s wife, ly as they struggle through the traumas pressway, to the small mountain village Leslie T. Chang. of poverty to the traumas of prosperity, of Lishui in southern Zhejiang province. Hessler’s book does a good job of which sees the father in the family build- From 2005 to the present, Hessler ob- giving faces and personalities to the ing an inn and restaurant catering to the serves the conversion of Lishui from Chinese who are all affected by this new newly rich of Beijing, who come north poor mountainous village to factory physical and economic mobility. He with the paved roads and their new au- tomobiles to escape the success of the city. With growing prosperity, there is in- Hessler’s book does a good job of creased stress and decreased happiness. Since he had a car, early in the Sancha giving faces and personalities to the Chinese stay, Hessler was called on to rush the who are all affected by this new physical and Weis son to a Beijing hospital where he economic mobility. would need a blood transfusion for low white cell count. This occasions observations on discrimination against the poor, town. The advent of a four-lane express- tells us where they are from, where they commonly contaminated blood supplies, way cuts travel time from the established are going, what their aspirations and and generally unhealthy medical practic- business center of Wenzhou in southern hardships are along the way, and how es. Fortunately, Hessler tapped into the Zhejiang from an unreliable two hours and why the government leads and re- knowledge of some medical friends in plus to just over an hour. At the other sponds. His treatment of Christianity is the U. S. and Wei Jia pulled through. end of the expressway, the government spare, especially for a place like Wen- The growing prosperity of the Wei creates a special economic zone by lev- zhou, to which David Aikman devotes a family provides a window into how busi- eling 108 mountains. chapter in his Jesus in Beijing, estimating ness is conducted in China and its tie As a point of focus, Hessler relates the the Christian population at ten to four- with politics, the shady process of buy- fortunes of an uncle-nephew partnership teen percent a decade ago. But Hessler is ing a used car, family tensions, the de- from Wenzhou who start a factory with keen enough to observe that, “The new cline in health from junk food and a niche market making metal bra rings. pursuit of wealth can seem empty and constant TV, the disenfranchised wife He also relates the ups and downs of the exhausting….Some…turn to reli- and mother’s reliance on a fortuneteller technicians and laborers who come and gion….” As Hessler says with requisite to manage her life. On modern China go. Hessler even follows the history of humility, “Nobody has today’s China fig- generally, Hessler ventures these salient the European-made machine that bonds ured out,” but his book, though not observations: “Many people were search- the coating to the metal rings to a written from a Christian perspective, can ing; they longed for some kind of reli- knock-off made from memory by a Chi- only help in getting the current lay of gious or philosophical truth, and they nese repairman in southern China. the land, and highlights the need for the wanted a meaningful connection with Eventually, there are multiple copy- permanent and truly satisfying. others” (263), and “rarely did I know a cat factories as success is observed in the Chinese couple who seemed happy to- Lishui bra ring factory, which moves to Dr. Wayne Martindale, professor of Eng- gether” (264). So much opportunity, so a newly declared green zone to gain a lish at Wheaton College, has taught in Chi- much prosperity, so little peace. temporary economic edge because the na with his wife, Nita, five times since Small-town culture from health and short-term leases are cheap and nobody 1989. He is co-editor of The Quotable education to business and politics— pays attention to businesses slated for Lewis and author of Beyond the Shadow- along with the smoking, drinking, and removal. When the account breaks off, lands: C. S. Lewis on Heaven and Hell. z

Fall 2010 / 15 RESOURCE corner

Forget Not China 2011 Prayer Calendar (15th edition) Special Feature: China’s Children and the Fight for Joy

Full Color Wall Calendar: Strategic, Comprehensive and Specific

• Beautiful photos of children • Inspirational quotations from John Piper’s When I Don’t Desire God: The Fight for Joy • Daily prayer items for Chinese Christians and their nation

Chinese and English versions available. Discount prices for bulk orders. Order at www.prayforchina.com or call: 1-888-999-7959

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID

P.O. Box 5844 FULLERTON CA Orange, CA 92863 PERMIT NO. 98

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

16 / Fall 2010