Han Chinese, Wu in China

People Name:	Han Chinese, Wu
Country:	China
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	81,587,000
World Population:	81,722,100
Primary Language:	Chinese, Wu
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	13.40 %
Evangelicals:	10.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Chinese
Affinity Bloc:	East Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Wu Chinese language is more commonly referred to as the Shanghai dialect, but in fact Wu is spoken in a far greater area than just Shanghai. The Wu are counted as part of the Han nationality.
The Republic of China (1911-1949): Secret societies and triads were active throughout the Chinese countryside at the turn of the twentieth century. China was effectively run by local warlords. Discontent at foreign control over many parts of China led to the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, when more than 200 foreigners, mostly missionaries, were killed. The Boxers were themselves a secret society which originated in Shandong Province and stirred up anti-foreign sentiment throughout the land. In October 1911 Sun Yatsen set up the Republic of China and was promptly displaced as president by Yuan Shikai. Unrest in the countryside and economic chaos created a favorable environment for the Communist Party, headed by Mao Zedong. They won the hearts of China's oppressed peasants and waged a civil war against the Nationalists from 1927 to 1949. The Kuomintang army of the Nationalists were defeated and fled, along with the country's entire gold reserves, to Taiwan from where they have claimed to be the rightful rulers of China until the present time.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Wu people have faced grave poverty in the past, and many of them still do.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Wu Chinese do not practice any religion, although in recent years there has been widespread interest in the magical practice of Qi Gong.
There were Nestorian churches in the region between Nanjing and Shanghai as early as AD 1279. At one time the Nestorians had seven monasteries in and around the city of Zhenjiang, now in Jiangsu Province. In the 1800s almost all missionaries to China commenced their work in Shanghai, which was the first port of entry for foreigners. This has resulted in the region having the highest concentration of Christians in all of China.

What Are Their Needs?

The Guopu church needs to produce lasting fruit that will bless all of China.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to do a new work among Guopu men, drawing them to the King of kings.
Pray for the Lord to guide and protect Guopu families.
Pray for the Lord to use Guopu Christians as salt and light to those around them.