China Timeline
A history of the gospel in China and major events
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Early Events Affecting Christianity in China
635
Nestorian missionaries first bring the gospel to China. Expressed largely in indigenous terms (in Chinese, jingjiao 景教), it is not easily distinguishable from existing Chinese religions.
It receives strong imperial support, with as many as 3,000 ordained Nestorian priests in China. But when favor toward Nestorianism was withdrawn around 845 A.D., Nestorian Christianity declines and disappears totally by 986 A.D.
1582
Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci arrives in China. Following eighteen years of travel and language study, he reaches Beijing where he is well received by the imperial court due to his humility and respect for the Chinese people.
He not only shares with the Chinese his scientific knowledge, which they desire, but also the gospel, which results in many converts among China’s scholar-officials.
One of his most famous fruits is Xu Guangqi who was baptized (Paulus Xu) in 1603. Xu was placed at the highest honor (jinshi) in the imperial examination system.
1294
Franciscan missionary, John of Monte Corvino, spearheads a new thrust of gospel witness in China. The Franciscans report 100,000 converts by the time of Monte Corvino’s death. However, their inability to adequately translate the Scriptures into Chinese and a lack of reinforcement from Europe prevent the movement from making a lasting impact on China.
1722
Rites Controversy 礼仪之争
This is a dispute originally about worship of and showing respect to the Emperor versus the only God, and later on extending to ancestor worship. It was brought on by a disagreement among Jesuits (allowing) versus Franciscans and Dominicans (against), largely out of jealousy from the latter to the overwhelming success of the former.
The Pope decreed in 1704 that no such rituals should be permitted. By 1724, the emperor’s response to the above decree is to forbid the propagation of the Christian faith in China. Most missionaries have to leave as a result. The Holy See does not retract from the 1704 position until 1939.
1807
Modern Missions Efforts Begin
Robert Morrison (1782-1834), an Englishman working as a translator for the British East India Company, becomes the first Protestant missionary to China.
A dedicated student of the Chinese language and prolific writer, Morrison translates the Bible into Chinese within twelve years.
Since missionaries can only venture into China for short periods of time, they establish operations in the countries surrounding China (especially Macau and Malacca), building a “wall of light,” in preparation for the day when they will be able to enter China itself.
1843
Opium War Entry
Following the First Opium War (between China and Britain) missionaries gain access to five treaty ports on China’s eastern seaboard, reinforcing Chinese perceptions linking the gospel with foreign imperialism. The 2nd Opium War and the Treaty of Peking ceded Hong Kong to the British in addition to legalization of the opium trade.
1850-64
Taiping Rebellion
The Taiping Rebellion was a religious, nationalist and political revolt against the Manchus (Qing Dynasty) in China led by Hong Xiuquan (1814-1864), who claimed to be the brother of Jesus. Hong’s army occupied a large part of the rich farmlands of South China for more than a decade and eventually was defeated by the Qing army.
1853-1900
Hudson Taylor
James Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) arrives in China as a missionary, and
in 1866 establishes the China Inland Mission.
Impact of Opium Trade
As western mission societies begin sending personnel to China, many are engaged in outreach to opium addicts, particularly among the gentry. Pastor Xi (Xi Shengmo) was led to Christ by David Hill, a British Methodist missionary in 1878 in Shanxi. Xi became one of the first indigenous Christian leader and operated numerous opium rehabilitation centers.
1900
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, a widespread rogue uprising against foreign intrusion in China, results in the deaths of hundreds of missionaries and thousands of Chinese Christians. One third of all CIM missionaries perish.
1912-1927
The Warlord Era
The central government of the newly-formed republic exists in name only and the country breaks up into regions controlled by local warlords. Poverty, starvation, economic stagnation and civil war ensue.
1919
New Bible Translation
The Union Version of the Chinese Bible is published. The translation was a joint effort of all missionaries in China. This is the standard Chinese translation even today, despite the publishing of newer translations.
1919
The May Fourth Movement led by nationalist students protest the Japanese takeover of German colonial areas in the Paris Peace
Accord following WWI.
It is also a movement calling for the Westernization of Chinese society and
politics. Mr Science (Mr. Sai) and Mr
Democracy (Mr. De) become regular
terminology among the intellectuals.
It includes a critical look at culture by intellectuals and an anti-colonial sentiment movement to boot the foreigners out of the “concession areas.”
1921
The Communist Party is founded in Shanghai with one of its aims being to drive out the foreigners and reunite China. It wants to cooperate with the Nationalists to accomplish this goal.
1919-29
Amidst growing resentment of the missionaries and increasing anti-Western sentiment, the anti-Christian Federation is formed in 1922. It ends after high profile believers like Chiang Kai-shek and T.V. Soong become leaders of the new Republic and the prelude of Japanese invasion of China.
1931-32
The Japanese take over the three northeastern provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang in Manchuria, China and establish the puppet state of Empire of Manchuria.
1934-35
The Long March | After being driven out of their bases in Jiangxi Province by the attacking Nationalist army, the Red army begins a 3,000 mile march as far west as Sichuan, eventually ending in Yan’an, Shaanxi Province.
The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) gains popular support, especially among the poor rural masses as they conduct guerrilla war against the Nationalist forces and prove they are a force to be reckoned with.
1946-49
Civil War Resumes | Following the defeat of Japan, the Communists and the Nationalists resume their fight for control of China. In 1949, the Nationalists are defeated and retreat to the island province of Taiwan.
On October 1, 1949, the People’s Republic of China is founded. “China stands up” and throws off foreign domination; the CCP wins the war. What is left of the Republic of China is today’s Taiwan.
Communist Victories | Following the Communist Revolution, missionaries begin to be expelled from China in large numbers. Almost all leave by the early 1950s.
Christian broadcasters begin beaming the gospel, via shortwave, into China, not knowing if anyone is listening. China begins a period of isolation from the outside world.
1957
Hundred Flowers Campaign | Mao encourages the CCP to be more open to outsiders and other ideas. Intellectuals see it as a chance to urge the CCP to reform and air some grievances. After a couple of months, the CCP decides that it has heard enough of CCP corruption and criticism and turns on those who have spoken out, branding them as “rightists.”
Over 30,000 are persecuted (sent to jail, labor camps, or the countryside). An entire generation of intellectuals is sidelined. There is near destruction and total demoralization of the intellectual class—an illustration of the problem China’s rulers have always had with intellectuals.
1958-1961
Mao’s begins a mass campaign to jumpstart the revolution following disappointing production on new cooperative farms (communes).
Mao calls for a technological revolution to pass Great Britain
in 15 years. The countryside is collectivized, and everyone is encouraged to build backyard furnaces.
All are expected to report inflated production figures, like 18,000 kg of grain per mu (667 square meter), equal to 200K lbs of rice per acre.
It ends up in disaster. Combined with bad weather, it leads to crop failure and a famine which kills at least 30+ million people. The CCP blames it on three years of ‘natural disasters’.
Major changes occur in Chinese society: collectivization of family structure; big projects change the landscape of China; cities are transformed—Beijing looses her city walls.
1966-76
Ten years of Cultural Revolution is officially launched. Its stated purpose is to purge the old system but it is actually a power struggle between Mao and the CCP leadership. After Mao’s death, it was officially labeled “10 years of calamity.”
It results in a “lost generation” of students missing out on their education at schools and universities, focusing instead on mass rallies of Red Guards, persecution of intellectuals and decimation of the intelligentsia.
It puts society on the verge of civil war and economic collapse, and results in industrial stagnation, upheaval in the countryside, and psychological and emotional scars on the psyche of individuals. The Chinese population lose faith in the CCP.
1972
President Nixon pays a visit
to China, ending 23 years of open hostility and no contact. This sets the stage for China to return to the international community.
1976
After the death of Mao, the
“Gang of Four” briefly tries to take power but are arrested swiftly
and purged by Deng. The Mao era comes to an end.
1979
Churches start to reopen in China. Among the first ones are Holy Trinity Church, Moore Church, Pure Heart Church in Shanghai, Mi Shi Da Jie Church in Beijing and Dongshan Church in Guangzhou.
1978
The 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CCP is held in 1978 and signals the end of the Mao era.
Deng Xiaoping (1904-97) becomes paramount leader
of China for the next 20 years. During the plenum, Deng launches the Four Modernization. The plenum also re-establishes a religious policy that grants more freedom to the practice of the five recognized religions.
1989
A student movement that begins as an outpouring of grief and support of the deceased (and recently purged) Party Secretary, Hu Yao-bang (1915-1989), becomes a movement protesting official corruption and advocating for democracy.
The government cracks down hard on the protestors with the Tiananmen massacre. Economic reforms and many new freedoms are put on hold. Foreign investment dries up as the international community protests the killing of many Beijing citizens and student protesters. The CCP loses a significant amount of legitimacy.
1992
Deng Xiao-ping pays a visit to the booming region of Guangdong Province, especially the Special Economic Zone of the Shenzhen and declares his ten-year experiment with economic reforms to be a success.
He urges the rest of the country to pursue a move towards a market-oriented economy. The door to the outside world opens even wider; the current economic boom begins; everyone focuses on making money.
1997
Deng Xiaoping dies, leaving his handpicked successor, Jiang Zemin (b. 1926), at the head of the collective leadership. This is significant as for the first time since 1949, leaders who did not take part in the Revolution rule China. There is a successful leadership transition. The 15th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party is held.
The Party affirms the position of Jiang Zemin as the undisputed leader of the Party and the State and proposes broader economic reforms including the eventual breakup of the system of state-run enterprises.
Jiang emerges as firmly in charge; the coming reforms will mean many state-owned enterprise bankruptcies and joblessness.
Hong Kong Returns to China
After 150+ years under British rule, China regains sovereignty of Hong Kong, one of the world’s most successful cities and the financial center of Asia.
Through terms of negotiation with the British in 1984, Hong Kong becomes a “Special Administrative Region,” and China promises not to tamper with its system for 50 years under the principle of “One Country, Two Systems.”
The Chinese view it as an end of 150 years of humiliation by foreigners. China hopes for successful implementation of “One Country, Two Systems,” to persuade Taiwan to reunite with the Mainland under similar conditions. Despite fears of restrictions on religious activities, church life is not affected.
This commitment from the CCP is short-lived as Beijing exerts limitations over various spheres of political openness and freedom only halfway into the 50 years.
1998
Religious Delegation
The first ever delegation of American religious leaders to visit China at the invitation of a Chinese president arrives for a three-week tour. More than 60 meetings with the Party, government, business, and religious leaders are held.
Topics discussed include government control of official religious leaders and groups, persecution of unregistered groups, and discrimination against believers in society. The United Front Work Department (the organization to which the Three Self reports) has done extensive courtship of the mainline churches in the US and, since 1983, the Anglican Church in the UK.
Appeal of House Church Leaders
A dozen leaders of unregistered Christian movements meet to draft a seven-point document calling upon the Chinese government to recognize their legitimacy and grant them the same freedom given to Christians in the officially recognized churches
1999
Entry into WTO and 50 Years of New China
After 13 years of negotiations, the US and China conclude a bilateral trade agreement, paving the way for China to enter the World Trade Organization (WTO). The agreement will lower import tariffs, open more of the Chinese economy to foreign investment and obligate China to abide by international trading conventions.
It speeds up China’s modernization and integration into the global economy but also results in economic dislocation as the economy is restructured.
The country celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the People’s Republic in China! President Jiang Zemin uses the occasion to establish himself as a leader in the ranks of Mao and Deng.
2000
Suppression of Uyghurs
The government begins systematic suppression of Uyghurs, fearful of any independence movement as Uyghurs in Xinjiang connect with their ethnic leaders in other parts of the world.
In the name of anti-terrorism (there are some home-grown terrorist attacks), as many as 1 million Uyghurs are interned in “re-education camps” with no trial and sentencing.
It starts with religious, community and education leaders, and later on extends to entire families and whole ethnic groups.
Taiwan
Taiwan holds direct elections in which the Nationalist Party (KMT) is defeated. Chen Shui-bian (b. 1950), leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is elected President, making Beijing furious and nervous because of the DPP’s support for Taiwan independence.
Beijing threatens war if Taiwan declares independence. This election is the first democratic transfer of power in Chinese history.
The people in Taiwan see it as a coming-of-age. Beijing’s view is that Taiwan has taken a step closer to independence, something they vowed that they would fight to prevent.
2002
The China Christian Council and Amity Press celebrate the printing of the 30 millionth Bible in China.
2007
This marks the 200th Anniversary of Robert Morrison’s arrival in China, beginning Protestant mission there.
2008
The summer Olympic Games are held in Beijing, China.
2003
Hu Jintao (b. 1942) succeeds Jiang Zemin as president of China. He continues allegiance to the CCP and reintroduces state control in some sectors of the economy that were more relaxed under Zemin.
2013
Xi Jinping becomes President | On March 14, Xi Jinping (b. 1953) is elected president of China by the National People’s Congress.
Anti-Corruption Campaign | Among Xi’s first initiatives is a nationwide purging campaign to remove thousands of nominally loyal officials (both “tigers” and “flies”) in the pretext of anti-corruption.
Xi also changes the constitutional requirement of limiting the president to two five-year terms, effectively making him president for Life.
He also puts himself as the 3rd pillar of Chinese communism behind Mao and Deng.
2013-2020
Hong Kong Protests
In 2003, the Hong Kong government tries to pass the Basic Law Article 23 amendment to define treason against the state. It draws 1.5 million to the streets in protest and forces the government to withdraw the legislature. In 2004, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) rescinds the promise of universal suffrage in the Basic Law of Hong Kong.
By 2012, Mr. Leung Chun-Ying the Chief Executive walks an even closer tie with Beijing. Then in 2013, the Occupy Central campaign (the Umbrella Movement) is launched. This ends up with civil disobedience in September 2014 when many business areas are shut down for 3 months. Eventually the leaders of the Occupy Central movement (a law professor, a pastor, and a university professor) are sent to trial and sentenced in 2019.
In June 2019, hundreds of thousands of people in Hong Kong demonstrate against the Fugitive Offenders Amendment Bill, a proposed law that would allow extraditions to mainland China, despite the local government’s announcement a day earlier that it was indefinitely suspending the bill.
The protests continue till early 2020 when it is sidelined by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, many incidences of police abuse are broadcasted live by the media, causing significant tension between the police and the public. Then in May 2020, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress pass the Hong Kong Security Law (Article 23 again) but only draw a much smaller protest compared to 2003.
Most people see it as inevitable that the heavy-handed rule of Beijing will take over Hong Kong, much earlier than the promised 50 years (1997-2047) of “One Country Two Systems”.
Trade War
US President Donald Trump has long accused China of unfair trading practices and intellectual property theft. The US imposed tariffs on more than $360bn of Chinese goods, and China retaliated with tariffs on more than $110bn of US products.
Coronavirus
An outbreak of a new coronavirus, reportedly sourced from a Chinese seafood and poultry market in Wuhan, China, is officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020.
