By Alex Nyoni
During the Shangri-La Dialogue peace summit in Singapore from 31 May to 2 June, China’s defence minister Dong Jun doubled down on China’s commitment to restrict Taiwan from declaring independence. In a speech at the summit, Mr Dong said that “anyone who dares pursue independence for Taiwan will be crushed to pieces and face destruction”, in some of the most direct comments yet regarding China’s policy on Taiwan. He also accused foreign powers of supporting Taiwan’s government, whom he deemed as “dangerous separatists”. While Taiwan has its own functioning government, which argues that Beijing “has never ruled the island” and is “misrepresenting Taiwan’s government’s position”, China views the island as a province of the mainland and has consistently discouraged any moves toward independence.
Following the inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, last month, Chinese warships and warplanes carried out joint combat readiness patrols just off the coast of Taiwan in what Chinese leaders deemed “punishment” for the president’s inauguration speech, just days after completing two days of war games in the area. Taiwan’s defence ministry said China was attempting to intimidate them, but did not see the actions as indicative of pursuing war.
According to the Joshua Project and the International Centre for Law and Religion Studies, just over 60% of Taiwan’s population practise ethnic religions, including Buddhism, Taoism, and other traditional Chinese beliefs. Around six percent of the population identifies as Christian. Taiwan’s relationship with China has the potential to affect Gospel spread on the island, especially with the rise of Chinese missionaries. If China and Taiwan’s relationship continues to deteriorate, the island could find itself further isolated from China, increasing the need for the local Church to take up the responsibility of reaching the eight ‘unreached’ groups on the island. As has been seen in other contentious regions around the world, there is a great risk of the Church becoming distracted by the political and societal upheaval and distress. However, if Christians can stay focused on their mission to spread the Gospel to those around them, there is much opportunity presented in this time.
The Church in Taiwan can reflect and learn from the experience of their counterparts in Hong Kong when it comes to navigating this issue. Church leaders who were vocal about opposing China’s control of Hong Kong eventually were forced to flee due to governmental persecution. While it’s not a negative thing for Christians and Church leaders to have political opinions, it is necessary to use wisdom in such situations on how and when to share them. Instead of being pulled into the trap of focusing on politics above the Gospel mission, the global Body of believers can pray for those in Taiwan to “not become weary in doing good” (Galatians 6:9) but to remain steadfast in their pursuit of the harvest.
Please join us in prayer for the following:
- For the Taiwanese Church to have open spiritual eyes to what is going on around them and for them to remain focused on their calling
- For a peaceful resolution to the conflict and for the Taiwanese Church to be prepared for what is to come
- For the global Body of believers to continue to pray for both China and Taiwan and the believers within, as they navigate this trying situation
