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Featured Article
“God Has Not Given Up on China”: Daughter of Imprisoned Zion Church Pastor Tells Story of Faith, Fear, and Hope (March 4, 2026, Premier Christian News)
The daughter of a prominent Beijing pastor detained by Chinese authorities has spoken about growing up Christian in China, the cost of faith under Communist rule, and why she still believes God is at work despite intensifying persecution. Grace Jin Drexel, whose father Pastor Ezra Jin founded Zion Church, told Premier Christian News her childhood was shaped early by the knowledge that her family was “different”.
Government / Politics / Foreign Affairs
Folding Hong Kong Into the China Story (March 4, 2026, China Media Project)
A state-run media center in Guangxi and a Hong Kong newspaper have jointly launched a short-video series aimed at the Greater Bay Area—Beijing’s ambitious plan to economically and culturally fuse Hong Kong and Macao with nine cities in Guangdong province. It is the latest in a growing pattern of cross-border media collaborations designed to carry the integration message directly to Hong Kong audiences.
Trump-Xi Summit 2026: What to Expect for US-China Relations (March 4, 2026, Asia Society – Center on U.S.-China Relations)
Ahead of President Donald Trump’s March 31–April 2 Beijing visit, China experts examine the critical issues in US–China relations and what might be negotiated during the high-stakes meeting with President Xi Jinping. Speakers include Amb. Nicholas Burns, US ambassador to China from 2022 to 2025; Sarah Beran, former deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Beijing and partner at Macro Advisory Partners; and Ryan Hass, director of Thornton China Center and Koo Chair in Taiwan Studies at Brookings Institution, with former US Ambassador to China Amb. Winston Lord, delivering introductory remarks virtually. Daniel Kurtz-Phelan, editor of Foreign Affairs; and Orville Schell, Arthur Ross vice president of the Center on US-China Relations, moderate the conversation.
A Partnership of Convenience: Why China Isn’t Intervening on Iran’s Behalf (March 5, 2026, The Diplomat)
At the outset of the Israeli-US attack, Iran’s ailing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with hundreds of Iranian civilians, was killed. China condemned the United States for “flagrantly violating” Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, just as it did in the aftermath of the Venezuela operation. However, rhetoric aside, China has taken no concrete action.
Custodianship in a Time of a Political Depression (March 5, 2026, Made In China Journal)
For a city once known as the “city of protests” (Garrett and Ho 2014: 347), Hong Kong’s political landscape is now almost unrecognizable. Yet, in the corner of a quiet Kowloon bookshop, the postcards—small, unassuming, almost austere—capture a broader impulse that has been animating Hong Kong in recent years: an urgent desire to hold onto, to record, to keep traces of a political world that is being erased in real time.
Religion
Nanning: A Village of Millions (March 3, 2026, China Partnership)
This March, we are praying for Nanning. Nanning is the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. As the name makes clear, Guangxi is home to many minority peoples, particularly Zhuang people. People in the city are kind and laid-back, and have a slower pace of life. Believers in Nanning say that traditional folk religion is still strong in Guangxi, and that the area has few Christians and not many churches.
Faith in the Shadow of Vices (March 6, 2026, ChinaSource)
Macau, a special administrative region of China that is known for its glittering skyline of neon-lit casinos, has long been considered the “Las Vegas of Asia.” According to the latest figures, Macau’s gambling revenue reached $30.9 billion in 2024, its highest revenue level since the pandemic. Macau is now considered the world’s biggest and most profitable gambling hub, surpassing Las Vegas. Yet beneath the neon lights of the world’s largest gambling hubs lies a complex spiritual landscape.
Periphery and Center—Diaspora, Scenarios, and Watchfulness (March 9, 2026, ChinaSource)
Peripheries feed centers. The Chinese diaspora—students and scholars, entrepreneurs and workers, pastors and artists—forms feedback loops: translating ideas, building institutions, raising families in new contexts, and then sending back practices, networks, and language. Those loops reshape worship, scholarship, counseling, youth ministry, and public engagement on both sides.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I Shall Not Want (March 10, 2026, ChinaSource)
2002 was the darkest year of my life. My career was in the depths, and I lost all confidence in myself. I had reached my limit. Burned out and depleted, I packed my bags and brought my wife and daughter to Irvine, California, to visit my sister. Directionless and aimless, I needed a change of environment and a new perspective on life.
Society / Life
To Ensure a More Sustainable Future, Human Rights Work on China Should Move Away from US Government Funding (March 3, 2026, ChinaFile)
The China human rights community now faces a near future in which the scope of our work will be considerably reduced. Yet this grim moment could also serve as a turning point: an opportunity to break free from the limitations of US government support, and to forge a more diverse community of supporters united by a genuine commitment to universal human rights. The transition will not be easy, but in the long run it could strengthen both the integrity and effectiveness of rights work on China.
Gen Z Flocks to Chinese Medicine as Trust in US Health System Plummets: “It’s So Personalized to Being Human” (March 4, 2026, The Guardian)
Did you drink ice water today? If you did, that was “not very Chinese of you”, according to Sherry Zhu, a 23-year-old Chinese American creator based in New Jersey. If you were really serious about “becoming Chinese,” you would be sipping hot water every day, she warned in a TikTok video with millions of views. “I really do feel like, digestion-wise, a lot better when I’m drinking hot water,” she later explained to GQ.
There Are 56 Ethnicities in China – and 55 Are Getting Squashed (subscription required) (March 9, 2026, The Economist)
China’s parliament is not known for its debates. Meeting for roughly ten days every March, it exists to approve, not to question. But what it lacks in disagreement, it makes up for in colourful dress. The Great Hall of the People, where it convenes, becomes a parade of elaborate costumes. On March 5th, its opening day, Chaguan first spotted a man in a black cape with fiery swirls across his shoulder. Next, a woman in a jangly silver crown twice as large as any worn by King Charles. Then more and more: flowing garments, dense embroidery, splashes of dark red, bright pink, deep blue.
Economics / Trade / Business
Manufacturing Talent Boom? Why China’s Smartest Students Are Factory-Bound (March 3, 2026, South China Morning Post)
New Tsinghua University data this week reveals a nearly 20 per cent rise in graduates joining the manufacturing and energy sectors, signalling a major shift in career pursuits in China. The sharp rise seen in Tsinghua’s class of 2025 indicates a renewed interest in traditional industrial sectors among top-tier talent as well as the pull of national strategic priorities. As some of China’s brightest minds enter these fields, the country is poised to intensify its competitive challenge to Western companies in advanced manufacturing.
US Companies In China: What the 2026 Business Climate Survey Reveals (March 6, 2026, National Committee on U.S. – China Relations)
American companies operating in China are navigating a period of adjustment shaped by economic and political uncertainty, evolving regulatory priorities, and a shifting bilateral relationship. While longstanding structural challenges remain, the latest data suggest a more nuanced picture than simple narratives of decline or decoupling—one marked by adaptation, selective investment, and cautious optimism about the year ahead.
China’s Shoppers Head for Suburban Outlets, a Bright Spot in Retail Property (March 8, 2026, South China Morning Post)
For Steven Zhou, a 40-year-old Beijing office worker, suburban outlet stores offer a better shopping experience than urban malls, allowing him to escape the city, park his car without frustration and, most importantly, find good deals. “Outlets offer a wide selection of brands, with attractive discounts, especially on sportswear,” Zhou said. Across the mainland, outlets are expanding while traditional and luxury malls face high vacancy rates. Offering well-known brands at discounted prices, outlets aligned with changing consumer preferences and the current trend of rational spending amid the sluggish economy, according to analysts.
Arts / Entertainment / Media
Going Viral in China: Cultural Heritage Turned Into Spectacle (March 9, 2026, Sixth Tone)
A group of China’s most popular influencers aren’t performing songs, cracking jokes, or showing off their looks. Instead, they’re traveling the country and exploring examples of half-forgotten traditional Chinese culture—from performances and art forms to wedding rituals. You might think such cultural heritage belongs in dusty schoolbooks, but on Chinese short video platforms, users can’t get enough of it.
Science / Technology
Direct Renewable Power Helps China’s Industry Bypass EU Carbon Fees (March 2, 2026, MERICS)
Five Chinese provinces have approved pilot projects that directly link renewable energy plants (solar, wind, biomass) to industrial end users, such as steel and aluminum smelters. As a result, these industrial end users will not have to pay for emission certificates under Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
“Bumping” Into Adolescence: Kids’ Smartwatches and the Battleground Between Safety and Control (March 4, 2026, The World of Chinese)
In parks and schoolyards across the country, kids can be seen bumping their watches together, a soft beep signaling that a new friend has been added and a social circle affirmed. “For many kids, especially in the lower grades, ‘bumping’ watches to add contacts is the digital equivalent of sharing toys and snacks. It’s an icebreaker, a low-stakes way to initiate contact,” notes Zhang Tingting, a middle school English teacher and head of a ninth-grade class in Shenzhen Longgang Middle School.
Podcast—Will China Own the Green Energy Future? (March 5, 2026, The Guardian)
The conflict in the Middle East has sent energy prices soaring, and for countries that import a high proportion of their fuel, it’s a reminder of the perils of energy dependence. As the recipient of almost 90% of Iran’s crude oil, China knows this only too well. Which partly explains why the country spent the last decade heavily investing in clean power. To find out what else could be driving the strategy, Madeleine Finlay speaks to senior China correspondent Amy Hawkins. And energy correspondent Jillian Ambrose reflects on how China’s ambitions could affect the rest of the world.
History / Culture
Power on a Paper: The Passport in Chinese History (March 2, 2026, The World of Chinese)
In the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, there is a recurring scene: each time the monk Xuanzang and his disciples enter a new kingdom on their way to ancient India to obtain authentic Buddhist scriptures, their first task is to proceed to the royal palace and present their travel permit, or tongguan wendie (通关文牒)—a booklet-like document issued by Emperor Taizong of Tang. The ruler, after verifying its authenticity, would take out the royal seal to sign and stamp the rescript. Only then did the monk secure legal permission to traverse that country.
In a Digital Age, Young Chinese Women Are Turning to Nüshu, a Centuries-Old Script, to Reclaim Strength (March 10, 2026, The World of Chinese)
Centuries ago, a small village in southern China gave birth to something the world has rarely seen: Nüshu, a writing system used exclusively by women. In January, in a small theatre tucked inside Beijing’s ancient alleyways, a packed audience of around 60 are watching a fictionalized retelling of Nüshu’s birth. Onstage, three young actresses portrayed an embroiderer, an herbalist, and a shaman, three women from different walks of life in ancient China. In a time when women were barred from formal education, they made up characters to write out what they needed—symbols to embroider, medicine to prescribe, divinations to record—which over time formed a script of their own.
Language / Language Learning
A Practical Guide to Your Ideal Mandarin Self: Build Motivation that Lasts (March 9, 2026, Hacking Chinese)
Motivation is not a personality trait that you either have or lack. It is a system you can design. Give yourself a clear future self in Mandarin, set up your study routine so it feels good in the moment, and let small, steady actions narrow the gap. The post “A practical guide to your ideal Mandarin self: Build motivation that lasts” appeared first on Hacking Chinese.
Travel
China-North Korea Trains to Restart, Six Years after Covid Brought Them to Stop (March 10, 2026, The Guardian)
Passenger train services between China and North Korea are to resume this week, six years after their suspension because of the Covid-19 pandemic, travel operators have said. Train journeys between the two countries were halted in 2020 as strict border closures were imposed to prevent the virus spreading. China has since fully reopened its borders, but North Korea has proceeded more slowly–though direct flights and train services with Russia resumed last year.
Events
ChinaSource Connect Dinner in Dallas
Andrea Lee and Joann Pittman will be hosting a ChinaSource Connect Dinner in the Dallas area on Friday, March 13, 2026. If you are also in the Dallas area, please join us for an evening of food, fellowship, and hearing stories of what God is doing in China. Space is limited, so please RSVP early.
For details and registration, go here: https://signupforms.com/registrations/45501
Public Lecture: Christianity in China Beyond the Headlines (ChinaSource)
In this lecture, Joann Pittman will provide an introduction to the complexity of the church in China, moving beyond common headlines and narratives to look at key issues and challenges that Christians face today. This will include a historical overview of Christianity in China, as well as gospel-centered stories of what God is doing among his people despite the challenging social and political environment. Finally, we will consider lessons that Christians in the West can learn from Christians in China. (Joann Pittman is Vice President for Partnerships and China Engagement at ChinaSource)
Date: March 26, 2026
Time: 6:15 – light refreshments
7:00 – Lecture & Q&A
Location: Nazareth Hall, University of Northwestern – St. Paul
3003 Snelling Avenue North, Roseville, MN 55113
East Asian Christianity Conference: Christian Witness and Presence Among East Asian Religions (Gordon-Conwell Seminary)
As an annual gathering, this event brings scholars and practitioners together to engage comparative research on Christianity’s development and significance in East Asia, with implications for church ministry and mission today. The theme of this year’s conference is Christian witness and presence among East Asian religions. Church leaders from Asia and the West will come together to foster creative Christian discourse on outreach and leadership, drawing on current academic research and the lived experience of those in frontline ministry.
April 9-11, 2026
Hamilton, MA
China Christianity Studies Group Annual Meeting 2026 (Regent College – Vancouver)
The China Christianity Studies Group will hold its 2026 annual meeting on March 12, 7:00-8:30 PM (Pacific Daylight Time) / March 13, 10:00-11:30 AM (China Standard Time), co-organized by Regent College and Trinity Western University. This year’s theme, “Contested Theologies, Hybrid Traditions: Chinese Christianities in Global Circulation,” examines how Chinese Christian thought has developed through global exchange. Speakers include Duanran Feng (Oxford), Easten Law (Yonsei), and Songzan Xu (Cambridge).
The event will be held in person at Regent College (Vancouver) and via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 999 3563 2885 | Passcode: 680891
Pray for China
March 12 (Pray For China: A Walk Through History)
On Mar. 12, 1925, Dr. Sun Yatsen (孙中山先生), China’s first president, died of liver cancer in Beijing. As a young Christian, Sun was forced to flee his family home after destroying the village idols. Just before his death, he told his only son, “As a Christian I have wrestled with the devil for forty years. You should do likewise and believe in God.” Pray for officials in China to find refuge in Dr. Sun’s Lord. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
Activating Prayer for China (February 23, 2025, ChinaSource)
Prayer 2026: Off the Beaten Path (January 1, 2026, China Partnership)
Praying Through the ChinaSource Journal (October 13, 2025, ChinaSource)
Praying Through ZGBriefs (August 29, 2025, ChinaSource)
Operation World (April 21, 2025, ChinaSource)
Pray for China (prayforchina.us)
Prayer Walking as a Rhythm of Life (May 30, 2025, ChinaSource)