Why do people work so hard to preserve China’s Great Wall? It’s partly because the Great Wall is a fascinating piece of history. But it could also be because Chinese officials know the Great Wall says a lot about China’s past.
China’s past is long. People in the region started building border walls in 770 B.C. China was separated into many smaller kingdoms then, many separated by walls. By 221 B.C., Emperor Qin and his generals had conquered these kingdoms and unified all of China. (Qin is pronounced “Chin.” China gets its name from this emperor’s rule.) Qin ordered that walls separating smaller kingdoms be knocked down or unified into the single Great Wall. The new, huge wall sent a message: China is now one united country. But many of the conquered people did not like the new wall. They were forced to build it. It reminded them they had been defeated by Emperor Qin!
Later rulers expanded the wall in other directions to give China better protection. The project wasn’t finished until 1644. It took more than 2,000 years! Chinese civilization is thousands of years older even than the Great Wall! Is your country that old?
The Great Wall of China was a symbol of national pride when it was built. The Great Wall says a lot about China today too. When you belong to a very, very old country, you may see history differently than someone from a young country. Chinese rulers know their people have accomplished a massive project in the past—building the huge wall.
China is still building huge symbols of power and has big plans for future projects too.
In October, they opened an amazing bridge-tunnel system connecting Hong Kong and mainland China. It crosses the ocean for 34 miles—the longest sea-crossing link in the world.
This winter, a Chinese spacecraft landed on the far side of the Moon—a first in Moon exploration—and a big statement that Chinese people see their country as a great world power.
By 2030, China wants to become the leaders in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Artificial intelligence technology is exactly what it sounds like—machines “thinking for themselves.” AI machines will have an increasing number of uses, such as helping doctors identify diseases, controlling driverless cars, and enabling cameras to recognize faces.
And just like the early Chinese who built the Great Wall to control who and what moves in and out of their country, today’s officials also wrestle for greater dominance. They want to show that they are strong by building their army and navy. They claim to own oil-rich territory in the South China Sea although officials from other countries say, “Hey! That isn’t yours!”
It makes sense for officials from any country to want their land to prosper. But no earthly power has complete authority. Only Jesus does—and He will forever.
On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. ― Revelation 19:16
