From “Run” to Return

ChinaSource has been faithful to continually raise the banner of ministry to Chinese students and scholars who are going back to China as Christians. A blog post in 2021 was entitled, “Returnees—A Topic Worth Revisiting.” We are grateful that this issue of ChinaSource Quarterly is devoted to just that, as were the winter 2011 and autumn 2016 editions. I commend to you the articles in these previous publications that address issues and challenges related to returning, which we will touch on again here. The last rather turbulent four years, related to the rise of COVID-19 and growing international tensions, have changed the landscape for returnees in a variety of challenging ways. This edition will provide an update on current trends in ministry to Chinese overseas, as well as in returnee ministry efforts within and outside of China, up to and through the COVID years.

US-China tensions have influenced the flow of students and visiting scholars to the US over the last few years, particularly those involved in certain tech fields, which are not being granted visas. According to OpenDoors, there was a nearly 15 percent drop in numbers of Chinese international students in the academic year 2020–21, this largely due to the impact of the pandemic. The following year brought another nearly 9 percent drop in numbers, but in 2022–23 the drop was only 0.2 percent.¹ So the figures are leveling off and likely going to climb again. It is worth noting that in spite of all of this fluctuation, Chinese international students have remained the largest percentage of the over one million international students in the US, 27 percent or 289,526 in 2022–2023.²

The opportunities remain significant for the church and international student ministries to reach and disciple Chinese students. Yet the recent issues related to the coronavirus, international tensions, and pressures put on Chinese international students from home, have led to a sharp decrease in the numbers of Chinese students engaging in campus or church evangelistic outreach efforts. Initially this was spurred on by real fears of contracting or spreading COVID. Until the outbreak of the pandemic, the majority of those engaging in campus ISM (international student ministry) activities have been Chinese. But in the last few years that has not been the case. There are clearly other factors influencing this trend since the risk of COVID has dropped off. Some report of warnings from authorities back home to not engage in “religious activities” or take part in events held in “religious buildings.” It seems evident that students are more aware of the potential that their activity overseas could impact their future opportunities in China.

The most coveted overseas study destinations for Chinese international students continue to be the US, UK, and Australia, though growing numbers are finding Asian destinations to be compelling alternatives, including Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Projections are that numbers of those electing to stay in Asia will continue to trend upwards.³ Increasing affluence and a more globally-aware group of younger students over the last few decades has also made ministries on campus and in churches less attractive to students. Felt needs that used to be economic in nature, like a free meal and fun activities are less attractive as many students have the economic freedom and practical mobility to pursue things on their own with fellow students. More and more students are coming with a higher level of English fluency than their predecessors. So, some English classes and conversation ministries have seen a decrease in engagement. The challenge remains for those involved in reaching Chinese students to find creative ways to engage with them as more traditionally-utilized methods are not yielding previous levels of interest.

Returnee rates remain high! The chart⁴ below reveals this, showing how since 2012 returnee rates have been around or above 80 percent. Since 2020, the number of returnees to China has eclipsed the numbers of students who are going overseas each year, again due in large part to the impact of the pandemic. Contrast these numbers with those from 1987 when “the return rate was about 5 percent, and in 2007 only 30.6 percent.”⁵

Clearly there remains a need for thoughtful ministry to Christian returnees, helping them to prepare well for the practical and spiritual challenges that their transitions home will bring. The fact remains that times are hard for returnees. Economic challenges across China at present are significant. Jobless rates among college grads have been high. In June 2024, China reports the national unemployment rate among youth 16–24 years old was 21.3 percent.⁶ The actual numbers may well be higher. Many who return face challenges well beyond what they imagined and for many their response is to want to flee. The Chinese word being used for this is 润, which is ironically pronounced “run.” Perhaps they can get back overseas to pursue an advanced degree as a way to get out during these challenging times.  Others respond by checking out of societal expectations and “lying flat”(躺平—tang ping), refusing to engage in the rat race of life and just passively lying on the sidelines. Others have become part of what is referred to as the ken lao zu (啃老族), those living with parents as a means to survive without working.

The present challenges of returning have not changed much in nature over the years, but in some respects they have increased in intensity. Simply readjusting to life back home after a prolonged period living in a different cultural context is challenging. On top of that are challenges related to family expectations and responsibilities, finding a job and managing the heavy demands of the workplace, and finding and settling into a local church. All of these take time, patience and persistence. In the midst of these adjustments, returnees need encouragement. Those who have not taken time to prepare, who return largely unaware of what’s coming, do not tend to fare well when trials come. Large numbers do not manage to make meaningful connection with the church and slowly drift away in their devotion to Christ. Those who have had time to anticipate and think through potential challenges in advance are less likely to be knocked off guard, are more likely to find fellowship, to persevere in trials, and to continue to grow in their faith.

Demands in the workplace can be very heavy, usually requiring people to work significant overtime hours and to be available unexpectedly at off-hours. It is not uncommon for bosses to expect employees to work from 9 am to 9 pm, 6 days a week (a practice commonly referred to as 996, 九九六). Add this to what are often long commutes, and little time is left for attending to daily needs, to family, and of course to church and body life. Additionally, employees are often expected to engage in less than ethical behavior as a way of serving and showing loyalty to the company. Given the nature of these increasing challenges it is understandable that some would choose to check out altogether (lying flat) or seek to escape.

Engaging with and finding a church home is more challenging than it has been in the last decade. Since most of the sizable urban house churches can no longer meet in large gatherings and have scattered to home-based small groups, it is more difficult for returnees to find them and make meaningful connection. Almost always a personal introduction is required and that is only made possible through trusting relationships across the network of churches, ministry organizations and those in China serving returnees.

During the pandemic, many of those planning to return were quite available to join in online preparation retreats. But since the crisis has settled down, it has been more difficult to get their attention. There seems a greater reticence to return, with many pursuing any possible means to delay going back, waiting until the last minute when all possibilities to remain overseas are exhausted, and only then finding they have no meaningful margins to think about preparing. It has been increasingly challenging to find opportunities to serve these brothers and sisters.

The 2016 returnee-focused edition of ChinaSource Quarterly was a call to action; we hope this edition likewise is a call to get involved. Lydia S. wrote in the autumn 2016 ChinaSource Quarterly about the role of the overseas church in investing in returnees. Her comments are still relevant:

Overseas churches and organizations need to clearly and thoroughly communicate a holistic gospel to international students and scholars, help them establish a firm spiritual foundation after leading them to Christ, and systematically prepare them to face the challenge of contextualization upon return to their country. They should assist them in transitioning and making contacts with local churches, maintain contact with them for a while to care for and provide companionship after their return, and urge them to find and become involved in a local church. These are ways to address the returnee problem effectively and efficiently, but they require significant investment on the part of the overseas churches and organizations in collaboration with the mainland churches and especially with returnee ministry organizations.⁷

Returnees today, as much if not more than ever, need to be supported in their transition back to China as followers of Christ. This is a task that is not accomplished without the trusting cooperation of those involved in serving returnees: churches (both overseas and back in China), ISM staff and organizations, and receiving partners on the ground in China. As these scattered entities seek to coordinate efforts to serve Christian returnees, much prayer is needed. Please join us in lifting up those involved in this ministry. We long to see returnees not just survive their transition home, but return well, engage with and get involved in the local church, and be ambassadors for Christ to their families, friends, colleagues, and the world. Praise God that some returnees are currently managing their transition well and making an impact.

The articles in this edition of ChinaSource Quarterly will consider the changing landscape in China and how it impacts Christian returnees. We will hear from brothers and sisters (including a pastor) who are serving returnees on the China side, reflect on some historical Christian returnees, and also consider a biblical example of a returnee. In the Resource Corner, we highlight a newly-published edition of the Returnee Handbook 海归手册, available for the first time in a side-by-side bilingual (Chinese and English) format. This resource is a useful workbook for returnees and those working with them, offering practical help in preparing for return. We hope this edition will challenge and resource those working with returnees and will increase your burden for investing in these brothers and sisters as they return.

1. “Institute of International Education: OpenDoors 2010-2022 Fast Facts,” Open Doors, accessed November 20, 2024, https://opendoorsdata.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Open-Doors_2010-2022.pdf.
2. “OpenDoors 2023 Fast Facts,” Open Doors, accessed November 20, 2024, https://opendoorsdata.org/fast_facts/fast-facts-2023/.
3. “South Korea on Track to Attract Thousands More International Students within the Decade,” ICEF Monitor, July 24, 2024, accessed November 20, 2024, https://monitor.icef.com/2024/07/south-korea-on-track-to-attract-thousands-more-international-students-within-the-decade/.
4. Plotted using data from “2023 Survey Report on Returnees Employment” (in Chinese, “2023 中国海归就业调查报告（2024年3月26日”), Human Resources and Social Security Information Network, March 27, 2024, accessed November 20, 2024, https://www.hrssit.cn/info/3208.html.
5. David Zweig and Zoe Ge, “How Chinese students Who Return Home after Studying Abroad Succeed—And Why They Don’t,” South China Morning Post, July 27, 2018, accessed November 20, 2024,https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/asia/article/2157081/how-chinese-students-who-return-home-after-studying.
6. Stephanie Yang, “China’s Rising Youth Unemployment Signals the Nation’s Economic Woes Are Far from Over,” Los Angeles Times, September 25, 2024, accessed November 20, 2024, https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2024-09-25/chinas-youth-unemployment.
7. Lydia Song, “Returnee Ministry at Home and Abroad,” ChinaSource Quarterly 18, no. 3 (2016), September 27, 2016, accessed November 20, 2024, https://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/articles/returnee-ministry-at-home-and-abroad/.