China has a glorious past spanning 50 centuries. There are scores of great achievements in Chinese history, including art, philosophy, literature, drama, dance, and politics. Chinese inventions such as gunpowder, silk, and paper money have become ubiquitous.

But the past 150 years have seen widespread death, destruction and disillusionment. Civil wars, invasions, floods, earthquakes, and famines have claimed literally tens of millions. Christians have suffered for their faith as well, and some still do.

However, the Chinese are resilient people. They liken themselves to bamboo: "The winds may blow, and we will bend, but not break".

The Chinese believe that their nation is now on the brink of a glorious future. The past 25 years have seen amazing growth economically. Many millions have moved from rural settings to cities. Prosperity has begun to touch them. A National pride swelled when Beijing was named the site of the Summer Olympics in 2008. The world's eyes are on China.