ZGBriefs | January 8, 2026
From Icy to an Ice Icon: How Harbin Became a Winter Wonderland (January 2, 2026, The World of Chinese) When much of China retreats indoors during the winter, the northeastern city of Harbin does just the opposite.
ZGBriefs
A weekly roundup of news and analysis to help you follow key developments in China and the Chinese church.
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ZGBriefs | January 1, 2026
From Hakka Tulous to Blue Ocean Views: A Glimpse into 2025 Church Dedications Across China (December 28, 2025, China Christian Daily) For the Christian community in China, the year 2025 saw a diverse array of new church dedications.
ZGBriefs | December 24, 2025
From 'Ping Guo' to Peace: How a Pun Created a Christmas Custom (December 22, 2025, China Christian Daily) For Christians and churches worldwide, Christmas is a season of celebration and a crucial time for evangelism. While methods vary globally—from cantatas to charity drives—churches in China have adopted a unique medium to share the gospel: the "Peace Apple."
ZGBriefs | December 18, 2025
The Chinese Christian Behind 2,000 Hymns (December 11, 2025, Christianity Today) Lü’s vocation as a hymn writer might seem surprising, as she never received any formal music training and learned how to write Chinese characters from a dictionary while shepherding sheep in a field.
ZGBriefs | December 11, 2025
The Fire of the Century (December 9, 2025, Made In China Journal) On the second day of the fire at Wang Fuk Court, flames continued to sporadically flare up in the smouldering units, reigniting blazes across the buildings.
ZGBriefs | December 4, 2025
Preparing Our Hearts (December 1, 2025, ChinaSource) We’re grateful to once again offer an Advent calendar—inviting believers around the world to join together in asking for God’s mercy and giving thanks for his blessings on Chinese Christians.
ZGBriefs | November 20, 2025
The Great Reckoning (October 16, 2025, The Ideas Letter) “China isn’t just an analytical problem,” he said. It is “the master key to understanding modernity.”
ZGBriefs | November 13, 2025
A Chinese Coffee Shop Called Itself People’s Cafe. That Name Got it Roasted (November 9, 2025, CNN) A Chinese coffee chain has apologized and changed its name after state media roasted it for misusing a word revered by the nation’s communist government.
ZGBriefs | November 6, 2025
A Town in Northeast China Has Shrunk by a Third Since 2010. Here’s One Family’s Story (October 30, 2025, NPR) Lin Xin's story highlights the fast-unfolding demographic shifts happening in China, where the population is shrinking and aging.
ZGBriefs | October 30, 2025
The Last Newsstand in Shanghai (MultiMedia Story) (October 23, 2025, Sixth Tone) Behind the counter is 68-year-old Jiang Jun — a former national model worker, an honorary distinction placed upon citizens who exemplify the ideals of socialism.
ZGBriefs | October 23, 2025
Decoding Chinese Politics (2025, Asia Society Policy Institute) China is one of the most important but least understood countries in the world. Its decisions will shape the future of international business, diplomacy, and security.
ZGBriefs | October 16, 2025
Pastors and Staff from Underground Church Are Arrested in China (October 13, 2025, NPR) Christian pastor and father of U.S. citizens along with dozens of church staff and members have been arrested in China amid a crackdown, his daughter and the church say.