A weekly roundup of news and analysis to help you follow key developments in China and the Chinese church.
Has China lifted 100 million people out of poverty? (March 1, 2021, BBC) Chinese President Xi Jinping says his country has reached the ambitious goal set when he assumed office in 2012 of lifting 100 million people out of poverty.
China orders clergy to toe Communist Party and socialist line (February 19, 2021, South China Morning Post) New national rules requiring clergy to embrace the leadership of the Communist Party and China’s socialist system are expected to compound limits on religious freedom in the country,...
The Yongzheng Emperor and Christianity in China (February 16, 2021, Sup China) In 1724, the Yongzheng Emperor proscribed Christianity. But what he really wanted is what rulers always want: people who will serve their state but not threaten its order.
Celebrate Lunar New Year online with a variety of virtual events (February 8, 2021, Lonely Planet) Many of the celebrations for the Lunar New Year are taking place virtually this year, inspired by food, performances and art and craft traditions that take place across Asia.
Chinese New Year good luck fruit is nutrition powerhouse (February 3, 2021, Inkstone News) Kumquat trees adorned with red lai see fong (literally, good fortune envelopes) are auspicious decorations at the start of the Lunar New Year. Native to China, the fruit is available around the world, including at supermarkets in major cities in the US.
8 Things To Know About The New Requirement For A Negative Covid-19 Test To Fly To The U.S. (January 26, 2021, View from the Wing) As of today the U.S. now requires a negative Covid-19 test within 3 days prior to departure, or documentation of having already recovered from Covid-19, for all air passengers flying to the country (citizens and non-citizens alike).
Why 1.2 billion people share the same 100 surnames in China (January 16, 2021, CNN) With 1.37 billion citizens, China has the world's largest population, but has one of the smallest surname pools. Only about 6,000 surnames are in use, according to the Ministry of Public Security. And the vast majority of the population -- almost 86% -- share just 100 of those surnames.
U.S. bans imports of all cotton, tomato products from China's Xinjiang region (January 13, 2021, Reuters) U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the order applies to raw fibers, apparel and textiles made from Xinjiang-grown cotton, as well as canned tomatoes, sauces, seeds and other tomato products from the region, even if processed or manufactured in third countries.
China steps up COVID-19 curbs near Beijing as infections rise (January 5, 2020, Reuters) Chinese authorities on Wednesday imposed travel restrictions and banned gatherings in the capital city of Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing, in the latest escalation of measures to stave off another coronavirus wave.
Coronavirus visa uncertainty turns foreign students against China (December 26, 2020, South China Morning Post) Thousands of young people are waiting to hear if they will be allowed back into the country to continue their studies. Many are giving up and growing angry, as Beijing’s soft power diplomacy in education suffers.
Mandarin Christmas Medley (December 23, 2020, Outside-In) As a way of saying Merry Christmas, here’s a video titled Jingle Bells in Chinese Christmas Medley. It’s just plain fun (and stinky tofu even makes an appearance).
Is China About to Introduce a “Three-Child Policy”? (December 10, 2020, Radii China) Chinese authorities have made no secret of their desire for more babies in the country, but do the people really want them?