Loving more than the Mu Shu Pork

This morning Judah and I were listening to NPR while partaking of a jar of apples’n’chicken and low-carb Eggo waffles, respectively. They were broadcasting a presidential press conference, talking about things from social security to Korea to the people who ‘hate America’ since they lied/tattled about our out-of-country gulogs (it took me a while to spell “gulogs” - deceptively simply, seems like it should have a lot of hidden vowels).

One reporter brought up the topic of China:

Q I appreciate that, Mr. President, thank you. My question is about China, which looms larger in the lives of Americans, sir. They finance an ever-larger part of our trade deficit, Americans are concerned about China's growing economic might, and, of course, about the oppression of human rights and religious minorities there. My question, sir, is how should Americans think about China? As an ally? A rival? Competitor? Friend?

THE PRESIDENT: I think that we ought -- it is a -- the relationship with China is a very complex relationship, and Americans ought to view it as such. China is a emerging nation. It's an amazing story to watch here. I mean, it's consuming more and more natural resources; it is generating jobs and exporting a lot of goods; it's a massive market.

And so, on one hand, we ought to look at China as an economic opportunity, and the best way to deal with China is to -- is to say, look, there are some rules, and we expect you to abide by the trade rules. And as this -- as she grows and as trade becomes more complex, you'll see more and more instances where the United States is insisting upon fair trade. We expect our -- expect to deal with -- expect China to deal with the world trade in a fair way.

Now, in terms of security matters, obviously, we just spent a lot of time talking about North Korea. China can be a very good partner in helping to secure the world. The best way to convince Kim Jong-il to get up -- give up his weapons is to have more than one voice saying the same thing. And, therefore, China is a partner in this case, in terms of helping to secure that part of the world from nuclear weapons.

China, as well, can be helpful in the war on terror. They're just as concerned as we are on the war on terror.

China is a -- obviously, there's tension on -- about Taiwan that we have to deal with. And I made my position very clear and very consistent about Taiwan. The Taiwanese understand my position; the Chinese understand my position. So, in this case, the relationship is one of helping to solve that problem, is to keeping stability in the region so that eventually there will be a peaceful solution to that issue.

And so China is a fascinating country that is significant in its size. Its economy is still small, but growing. But, as well, I believe we have an obligation to remind the Chinese that any hopeful society is one in which there's more than just economic freedom, that there's religious freedom and freedom of the press. And so, in my meetings with the different Chinese leaders with whom I've had the honor of meeting, I've always brought up issues such as the Dalai Lama, or the Catholic Church's inability to get a bishop into the country, or the need for the country not to fear evangelicals, but to understand religious freedom leads to peace. And so I'll continue doing that so long as I'm the President, and at the same time help deal with this very complex relationship.

It got me to thinking about China. I don’t really know a lot about the country. My dad’s been to visit, I’ve seen the *long* movie in the China exhibit at Epcot, and I enjoy our local Chinese restaurant - that’s about the extent.

I’ve heard some rumblings that China’s poised to be the next superpower as the U.S.’s star is fading (running out of matter to consume) into the background. They’ve got resources, people, and drive. I don’t think of it as a threat but rather the natural flow of things. Are grandparents threatened that their grandchildren who are thriving and taking the lead? Probably some, but that’s kinda silly: the old passes away and the new comes.

What’s helpful is when the grandparents offer their wisdom to the younger generation: advice from the mistakes, ideas from things that worked, not necessarily forms or structures but rather *truths* that they discovered. Knowing that China will probably shape things for the world, would it not be worthwhile to make a concerted effort to be missional and incarnational in China? Not in hopes that their government would ever adopt Christianity and advance its “policies” - I’m not talking about setting up another Constantinian-push. They will have the most effective means to influence the world, and they might not have as many obstacles (the idea that church is a building, pouring money into church administration instead of being present in the community, etc.) to overcome -- perhaps somewhat of a blank slate? (I say this in ignorance of their history - please be kind with comments). :)

Northwest Yearly Meeting has a wonderful program for folks who’d like to teach English in China. Oftentimes it's hard to get into the country, but Dennis Hagen has connections with folks who really desire English-speaking teachers. I’ve heard wonderful and powerful stories come from there as the participants encounter individuals and meet them where they’re at.

Christ didn’t move through the government or the established religious structures: he moved through the individual people. Wouldn't it be joyous to work with folks who could do the same?