It was a highlight of my career as a news reporter, interviewing Shengde Lian, one of the organizers of the Tiananmen Square protests. Now it seems that piece of history from 1989 is repeating itself in Hong Kong today.
Inspired by student protests in America and South Korea they had seen on television, Chinese college students gathered in Beijing at Tiananmen Square to mourn Hu [Yaobang], their advocate for democratic reform. The marathon sit-in lasted seven weeks.
[In Tiananmen Square, protesters crafted a goddess of liberty akin to our statue in New York’s Harbor. ]
Demonstrations weren’t unheard of in China, but the international broadcast of such demonstrations was. The international press was in town to cover [Mikhail] Gorbachev’s visit to Beijing. Because of his attempts to reform communism, the protesting Chinese students considered him a champion of democracy.[i]
The presence of the international press made possible our knowledge of the Tiananmen Square massacre. [There were other crackdowns at the same time across the country.] In front of the international media, the Chinese government, having lost face in the weeks’ long standoff, sent the army into the square, killing thousands and capturing surviving protesters. [Lian served 18 months in a laogai–the Chinese equivalent of a Soviet gulag.]
. . . The Chinese students . . . did not get the change they had hoped for, but change is what China would see. The Beijing massacre and imprisonment of surviving demonstrators prompted Chinese youth, especially students, to look for a new form of freedom. Many found that freedom in Christ.
Why did young Chinese college students suddenly develop a passionate interest in the Christian faith? David Aikman writes that one “suggestion was that China’s traditional Confucian view of man as inherently good was shattered under the tanks that rolled onto the center of Beijing.”[ii]
The Chinese students had put their faith in their government, and their government turned on them and attacked them. Now they would look elsewhere for someone to trust. Within the next ten to fifteen years, China is on track to become the most Christian nation in the world.[iii]
Hong Kong is very different from Beijing. Crosses hang on the exteriors of hospitals to signify their connection to churches. When the British left Hong Kong to the Chinese in 1997, they left behind the stamp of a Christianized culture. They left behind an understanding of basic freedom.
After the 1997 takeover, China discovered in Hong Kong what free enterprise could do. The “communist” government adopted capitalistic practices–with the military owning some companies.
The Mainland economy grew in leaps and bounds. China was building a middle class (without a minimum wage and with a flat tax, by the way, a graduated income tax having been foundational to Marxism.)
In 1997, the communist government in Beijing promised Hong Kong citizens “one country, two systems.”
Kayla Wong and Emily Lo provide an account of a Chinese woman waving the British Union Jack. This woman is not calling for a return to British colonialism but to the practices that helped Hong Kong prosper under the British.
She says Hong Kong has a 20-year history of government’s unkept promises.
Protesters also dare to wave the US flag. And while we are divided over gun control, they are asking for a Second Amendment.
Will Christianity see a resurgence in Hong Kong as is happening in the mainland? That remains to be seen.
China has not sent troops and tanks into Hong Kong–yet–although the military is amassing on the border and engaging in exercises designed to intimidate. All the while, the Hong Kong police show no mercy to the protesters.
Oppression suppresses free speech. An already eroded promise threatens the freedom that remains.
Perhaps China and Hong Kong are at a crossroads. Perhaps the events that unfold in Hong Kong in the coming days will determine whether there is freedom or continued oppression.
Only one King is faithful to His word. Pray for Hong Kongers and Chinese to find that King. Pray for peace and freedom found only in Him.
*****
This post is partially excerpted from Restoring the Shattered.
[i]Nicholas D. Kristof and Special to the New York Times, “China’s Hero of Democracy: Gorbachev,” archives 1989, accessed May 14, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/14/world/china-s-hero-of-democracy-gorbachev.html.
[ii] David Aikman, Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity Is Transforming China and Changing the Global Balance of Power (Washington, DC: Regnery, 2003), 171.
[iii] Tom Phillips, “China on Course to Become ‘World’s Most Christian Nation’ within 15 Years,” London Telegraph, April 19, 2014, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/10776023/China-on-course-to-become-worlds-most-Christian-nation-within-15-years.html.
Very interesting. Praying for people all over the world to come to know Christ.
Amen, Melissa! Thanks and God bless!
What a fascinating career you have had, Nancy! And what an amazing story. Thank you for sharing and for your great faith that encourages and inspires.
Thank you, Jessica. I love having had some interesting experiences to take to the classroom and into my writing. Such blessing. God bless!
This is eye-opening for me, Nancy. In 6 days, we will host 2 Chinese elementary school students (from Zhejiang, closer to Shanghai) for 5 days. They will live in our home, attend school with my youngest, and participate in our family activities while they are here. I pray that, if they don’t already know the true King, they will meet Him during their visit. I pray my family will be a vessel for that.
Wow, Stephen! What a wonderful opportunity to share culture and Christ. Thanks for commenting and God bless!
“Only one King is faithful to his word.” I love that line, Nancy. I was unaware of everything happening & unaware of the statistics on Christianity in China. Thank you for sharing this detailed information.
Thank you, Stephanie. He is indeed a faithful King. God bless!
Nancy, you certainly have explored many parts of the world, seen many cultures and their own issues, and so beautifully share so much history and wisdom with the rest of us from your experiences. I have two friends who do mission trips and work in China, don’t think either have ventured to Hong Kong. Yet, both have discussed the secrecy they often must keep about Christ and why they are visiting the country. I’m glad to hear there may be a turning point in looking to a higher power besides the government. And I’m joining your prayer for peace and freedom in the one true King.
China is a fascinating society. And the people in Hong Kong remember what freedom feels like. It’s harder to oppress that kind of people. May God reveal Himself to those seeking freedom. Thanks, Karen, and God bless!
I join the prayers for our friends on Hong Kong and beyond to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I thank Him for those who have, and are laying down their lives for the sake of the Good News. Blessings.
Thanks, Jacquie! We do see a legacy of great heroes and witnesses. God bless!
This is so interesting Nancy. Thank you for sharing this history and perspective.
Thank you, S.A.! God bless!
Very interesting post Sister thanks for sharing your experiences. God Bless
Thank you, Stephen. God bless!
Praying for our world …for peace and hope. Thank you for this post Nancy!
Thank you, Ava. God bless!
Great information and thanks for sharing. I did not remember all the details of the event in China. We are praying for the situation in Hong Kong.
Thanks, Yvonne. Prayer may be the greatest work we do. God bless!
It’s situations like this that I want to point to when people complain about American politics. But all these things also remind me nothing surprises God. He is always on His throne, no matter what type of government is in power here on earth.
So true, Emily. We Americans should be much more grateful than we are. Thanks and God bless!
You were a reporter back then? What? I did not know that about you! I was a reporter, too, for a couple years back in the late 80s. However, I never was able to cover any large story like that one! I was a local reporter in the Santa Barbara, California area. Anyways, it is interesting how governments and worldviews can affect people in negative ways and God uses that to drive them to him. He truly uses all things for good for those who are truly seeking.
Being a reporter gives such perspective and wonderful experiences. I was a reporter from 1992 to 1999. I found Lian on CSPAN and got in touch with him. America was interested in China during the time President Clinton planned to visit that country. God can use anything–and I find for His people–He wastes nothing. Thanks, Lisa. God bless!
Wow. The protests highlighted in your blog present a great reminder of the freedoms we enjoy in our country. May we remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who do not enjoy such freedoms and unite, especially as a church. Thanks for your thoughts and heart!
It would be amazing to see the world change–if we Christians would unite as the Church. Thanks, Candice, and God bless!
Nancy, thank you for raising awareness about so many different people and places. I have heard a few interviews from Christians living in China and the news sounds frightening. Praying today for people to see Christ through it all, no matter what they may be facing.
Amen, Melissa! That people will see Christ when it’s hard to follow–and even when it’s easy. Thanks and God bless!