We found a country where massive economic change is accelerating the rater of change in most other areas of life.  For many Chinese, this is a time of great economic opportunity.  Sino-American relations are better than at any time in our mutual history.  At the same time, the Chinese are struggling with the huge impact of economic growth on the environment, a growing gap between rich and poor, and the impact of large-scale failure of state-owned factories in parts of China not included in the economic boom.

In spite of our countries’ positive relations, “outsourcing” to the Chinese manufacturing sector strains our own economy.  Taiwan remains an issue of potential conflict.  Taiwan’s future, in turn, impacts other “Special Autonomous Regions” within China.  As Hong Kong presses for greater democracy, its delicate dance with Beijing could affect both Taiwan and Tibet.

The church in China is growing exponentially, putting strains on its own leadership and its ability to provide for the church’s growing needs. Perhaps the greatest of these if for the Chinese church to develop an indigenous theology, one that is not based in or owned by Western culture.  At the same time, the United States’ concern over religious liberty and human rights violations in China colors our political and economic relationship.

Behind the desire of urban Chinese to assimilate Western culture there is an enormous amount of goodwill, curiosity, and friendliness toward the stranger.  There is also a great desire on the part of Chinese people for their nation to be accepted as one among equals, to do away with the “bamboo curtain” thinking of the past.  For many of us, this glimpse into another culture and perspective helped us to reverse the lens, to look at our own culture in a new light.  I believe we also came away with the conviction that what unites us is greater that what separates us, and that the key to peace and justice lies in greater communication and willingness to work together.