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A country with a drive for progress

The ancient Middle Kingdom has reached the modern era. After an estimated 20 million Chinese starved to death between 1959 and 1961, today China is an economic power. Products “made in China” are flooding the world markets – a state-controlled capitalism in an uncompromisingly rigid political system.

 


Not everyone benefits from the economic progress, and so the life of this huge empire, home to a quarter of the world’s population, is marked by contrasts: stark differences between the city and country, poverty and riches; relative freedom on the one hand and the persecution of dissidents on the other. The individual counts for nothing, the state is everything.


Millions unregistered

Christians in China are persecuted with varying intensity depending on the region. AVC has been active in this country since 1980 and helped many Chinese Christians come into possession of the sought-after but forbidden Bibles. Besides the officially recognized and controlled “Three-Self Church”, the non-registered house church movement, among others, has developed, supported by AVC. It meanwhile consists of around 130 million Christians.


Projects permanently supported by AVC

Bible printing

Despite pressure from the state on Christians, AVC has been investing in the production and distribution of Bibles for years now.

 

Personnel development

Local workers are trained and educated in training programmes with various focuses.

 

Passing on the Christian faith

The movement “Back to Jerusalem” has the goal of taking the good news of Jesus to the nations, from the Great Wall of China, across the countries of the so-called 10/40 window, to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.

 


Humanitarian aid projects                              

The minorities in China, of which there are well over 150, are neglected by the state. AVC supports humanitarian aid projects, such as water projects and schools, which benefit these minorities. In order to promote individual responsibility and initiative, those concerned are actively involved in the implementation of the projects. They are expected to cover part of the costs, albeit a small part, and to carry out the practical work themselves.

 

Women from the Miao tribe
Water project in Guangxi
The people share in the work
Old school building
New school building
Swotting up the old characters


China

Capital                                               

Beijing

Area                                                    

9 596 60 km²

Inhabitants                                             

1 330 044 000

Population density                                

138.6 per km²

Life expectancy                                  

73.2 years

Infant mortality            

21.2 (per 1000)   

Literacy                                     

90.9%

Religions                                                 

Official atheists; traditional Confucians, Taoists, Buddhists; members of Muslim and Christian minorities


Disaster relief in Sichuan

The earthquake in Sichuan claimed many victims and made hundreds of thousands homeless. In cooperation with the partner organization China Care International, AVC provided disaster relief through the local Christian churches. For people who have lost everything, the “emergency sets”, in particular, are invaluable. In addition to a winterproof tent, they contain a stove, blankets, toiletries and additional, valuable items for life and survival. Besides this, support of the earthquake victims through trauma counselling has proven particularly helpful.