Pray for China

(190) As some trains begin to move. the cost to the nation

As  Trains start up in southern China the wider cost to the ecomy is considered.

But looking back at the transport issue Storms expose fragility of China's rail networks

These shortages are a reminder that China's huge, interconnected economy and its 1.3 billion people are increasingly vulnerable to even short-lived interruptions to the flow of goods and services.

In a sign of the governing Communist Party's nervousness about widespread resentment ahead of the country's most important holiday, senior leaders including Prime Minister Wen Jiabao have personally visited train stations to assure frustrated travelers that the authorities are working to solve the transport delays. 

I hear some exclaiming: "it all goes to show, China is headed to meltdown. Travel chaos, fragile economy, unstable population,  etc."  But is that really what is best for China? No. Lets pray for the peace of China.

(191) China's Deeep Freeze

China's Deep Freeze.  (including the picture above)  Imagine this line tens of thousands long

Waiting For a Train

... [Asked by a Chinese reporter what he thought of the scene:]  My overriding impression was that I was impressed. I was impressed by what people were willing to put up with just for the possibility of getting a seat or even a spot on the floor of a train for a 20+ hour trip home. It was a grand display of enduring hardship, or what in Chinese is vividly known as "eating bitterness" (吃苦).

Of course, that is what many of these people's lives are about, a willingness to endure hardship to get ahead. The thousands waiting outside the Guangzhou station were largely migrant workers, people who traveled to Guangdong province from China's interior seeking a better life for themselves and their families. So when I spoke with the Chinese reporter, my final thought was that I couldn't imagine many Americans going through this. I left feeling a little guilty for complaining about transpacific flights in economy class.

Migrant workers - the engine of China's growth. Willimng to live away from home for 11 months of the year, in conditions we could barely imagine, to make some money. Pray for them as tens of forgo the the yearly solace of home and family.   Chinese ability to "eat the bitterness" is remarkable, but it leaves a legacy. 

China's Travel Chos in pictures

Thursday update:  The challenge continues:

Chinese army flights the flakes

China Orders Relief Efforts, but Public Is Still Angry

Making the most of a bad situation

China advises millions to abandon travel  plans

(192) Olympics - China says won't submit to pressure

A word of introduction, a day late. The snow made me act to start this little blog yesterday and I rushed to get something of an introduction in place   Today's post opens the way to mor eof an introduction. How will we look at China, talk about China, engage with China this year as it is so often in the focus of world news?

My hope, explained here in About Praying for China   is that this will provide us with many opportunities to pray positively.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry comment: Olympics - China says won't submit to pressure.   Reporting on this article in the People's Daily, the website Christian Today writes this:   Olympics: a bridge to narrow the gap.  At the heart of China's case:

Today's Olympic Games have developed far beyond a mere sporting event; rather, they have become a showcase of cultures and civilizations, following the shared principle of "Peace, Friendship and Progress." This principle is the globally cherished spirit of sport, and equally dear to the Chinese.

The Olympic Games is a sport gala for the entire world; and the Chinese government is carefully preparing.

The preparation work is now drawing to its completion. Chinese people of all ages are doing their utmost to be decent hosts and hospitable to visitors. It is all too common to see people in China rushing to learn English, practice protocols and work as volunteers. The Olympics is a great drive to push forward the Chinese civilization; and in return, China's progress will add glory to the Olympic Games. ....

... On this basis, China will remain open to any constructive advice and criticism; and tolerate misconceptions which might arise due to misunderstandings.

On the contrary, China will not tolerate baseless accusations; and firmly opposes the practice of using the Olympic Games to hype up political issues such as Darfur: distorting the fact by saying China would put more pressure on Sudan and continue to support the regime, which could in some way tarnish the Olympic Games. ...

... No country has a perfect human rights record. The Chinese government has consistently advocated dialogues on equal footing to narrow disparities, and to boost human rights development around the world.

So many times in recent years I have heard it suggested that China will be so scared to lose the Olympics, it will do anything to keep favour. I have challenged that. They will be prepared to play a game of brinksmanship. And I have said that I fear the consequence if our nations then hold with the threats.

The question really is, is brinksmanship and a possible standoff in anyone's interest? Is it the Jesus way? Please pray for positive engagement with difference, oportunity to build bridges across the gulfs that divide our nations this year. That it truly be a year of peace.

(193) Snow threatens shut down as million prepare to travel for Chinese New Year

Do pray for China as it is experiencing the worst snow in 5 decades, just as millions prepare / begin to set out for "home" and family, to celebrate Chinese New Year. Pray for all those who are travelling or seeking to travel, as well as all who trapped or threatened. And those with no electricity.

Severe snowstorms batter China

Chinese Snow Storms Strand 200,000 at Station in New Year Exodus

It's a mess out there: Be careful  -- with the latest news that even in Shanghai 37 houses have collapsed under the weight of snow.   WangJianshou paints it bleakly.

and Time's China blogger adds perspective:

China's Not Quite Perfect Storm

Unusually appalling weather in a large chunk of southern China couldn't, it seems, come at a worse time. Unrelenting snow and cold have persisted for much longer than usual, meteorologists say, and show no sign of letting up. Already, hundreds of millions of dollars of damage have been reported (though be alert as ever to the squishiness of numbers in China) and hundreds of thousands of travelers attempting to get a headstart on the annual Chinese New Year mass migration (the Spring Festival, as it is called in China, falls on February 7th this year and tens of millions of Chinese return home in what has been termed the world's largest annual mass migration) have been stranded in train and bus stations across the country. There were 17 fullscale blackouts and power grids across central and southern China were severely damaged.