what a journey! I watched the movie Chariots of Fire. I did some extensive study on Eric Liddell, was quite moved by his devotion. He died in Weifang city (used to be Weixian), his tomb is still there, quite close to my hometown. I bet locals don't know him well. But the missionaries significantly contributed to the earliest modern education in the area. In those remote poor villages, some of the earliest students spoke fluent English, learned math and physics and so on. Some of the these students joined communists or nationalists, contributed to China's modernization. My great grandfather received the first modern surgery in a missionary hospital in my hometown, appendectomy, he was a father in my home village's church. In many our local villages, Christianity is still the dominant religion, it went through some difficult era, still survives until today.
Enjoyed the backhistory on Eric Liddle. Didnt realise there was a connection between chariots of fire and china. Thank you. This is such a nice piece again.
This is what I call a walking tour! Talk about history, give a nice backstory (like Eric Liddell), while you pass monumental structures that illustrate that history. Speaking of missionaries and Christianity, an American missionary in the early 1900s, Rev. George Pentecost, wrote that the conduct of Westerners in those times would make any Chinese think twice about becoming a Christian. Essentially he was saying that his own countrymen were making his work harder by making Christians look bad! Europeans certainly left behind many beautiful churches, but I wonder if they were able to leave behind the faith.
Missionary and colonialism go hand in hand. The former is often used as a cover for the latter. The saying goes, you do “well” by doing “good”. Occasionally there is a true believer like Liddell but ultimately he was just a footnote
You're welcome, and thanks again for making this video! Always enjoy listening to your insights and like how you don't shy away from uncomfortable issues, but put things in perspective. Glad your curiosity was piqued about George Pentecost. He was genuinely sympathetic to the Chinese and probably the other peoples he ministered to, and I think that was generally the case among American missionaries in the early 20th century.@@nickinchina2552
Thanks for the brief history and views around Tianjin. I guess the UK and Europeans left a good legacy from their contributions to building interesting infrastructure, amazing what the Victorians were capapble of; which the Chinese can now use. I rather liked the the look of the porcelain covered China House, which may fit in to Barcelona ambience.
China House is one of the strangest things in Tianjin. Although it claims to be a……museum, but I think it's more like a product of some sort of weird performance arts.
There is a difference between a concession and a colony. A concession is a rental, where the victim country retains nominal sovereign. In a colony, the aggressor state has sovereignty.. In the case of Hong Kong, the island of Hong Kong is a colony. China cedes the sovereignty to the British after the opium war. The new territory of Hong Kong had a 100 year lease from 1897 to 1997. I don't think the British paid rent. Thatcher initially wanted to relinquish only the new territory, not the island of Hong Kong. DXP spat at that offer. Finally, I find these western missionaries despicable. They were so interested in doing the work of the Lord and moral grand standing. While in fact they rode on the backs of war, opium trade and ruthless depredations of a local population.
Western missionaries kept Europe dark for 1,000 years, and they did nothing except brainwash the people. they also sexually assaulted boys….🥵 It is undeniable that the British concession business in Tianjin is the best.smart🤭It’s just that the Qing government is an idiot landlord🤬and doesn’t know charge more rent🤦🏿♀️ My impression seems to be that the Qing government owed money to Britain and then used Hong Kong to pay off the debt. so 😂
The style of Tianjin looks like an American city, the weather seemed to be good on the day you shot, and the light gave the film a cinematic quality. I have been in southern China for a long time and have not had the opportunity to go to northern cities. From your lens, I can see that the city is very clean and everything is going on in an orderly manner.
Thank you for telling the true story and so many of us had no idea about this part of Chinese history !
Hopr you enjoyed it! Crazy history.
You never know what you will come across until you travel, great insight , keep them coming
This was a real wander to be honest, but found a few very interesting places. Nice city
Thanks for telling Eric Liddell's story. I had watched that movie 3 times.😊
Fascinating person! Hooe you enjoyed the video!
what a journey! I watched the movie Chariots of Fire. I did some extensive study on Eric Liddell, was quite moved by his devotion. He died in Weifang city (used to be Weixian), his tomb is still there, quite close to my hometown. I bet locals don't know him well. But the missionaries significantly contributed to the earliest modern education in the area. In those remote poor villages, some of the earliest students spoke fluent English, learned math and physics and so on. Some of the these students joined communists or nationalists, contributed to China's modernization. My great grandfather received the first modern surgery in a missionary hospital in my hometown, appendectomy, he was a father in my home village's church. In many our local villages, Christianity is still the dominant religion, it went through some difficult era, still survives until today.
I've passed through Weifang a few times but never stopped, while travelling from Jinan to Weihai. May get off there next time.
Thanks for your story! The next time in the area I will stop in at Weifang! I learn a lot from your comments! Thank you
Enjoyed the backhistory on Eric Liddle. Didnt realise there was a connection between chariots of fire and china. Thank you. This is such a nice piece again.
I had to rewatch the movie after visiting Tianjin haha
Tianjin is one of my favorite places in China.
I think i need to go back when it isn't -10. haha! Good food in Tianjin!!!
Another amazing video Nick, thank you for your videos!
Thanks!! The next is from a place very different from the megacity of Tianjin!
You are such a knowledgeable blogger, keep your work, it's nice to see.
i'm happy you enjoy it! Thanks for the encouragement!
Lost you for a while during Covid and glad to see you back now on channel@nick
Thanks! Nice to see you remembered me! Yeh, that last year of covid was tough. Back in the game now though!
Great episode! Thanks for taking me back to my hometown, and seeing so many familiar places that I miss so much, thank you, Nick!
Your hometown! It was absolutely freezing! Some great food in Tianjin though...😍
This is what I call a walking tour! Talk about history, give a nice backstory (like Eric Liddell), while you pass monumental structures that illustrate that history. Speaking of missionaries and Christianity, an American missionary in the early 1900s, Rev. George Pentecost, wrote that the conduct of Westerners in those times would make any Chinese think twice about becoming a Christian. Essentially he was saying that his own countrymen were making his work harder by making Christians look bad! Europeans certainly left behind many beautiful churches, but I wonder if they were able to leave behind the faith.
Missionary and colonialism go hand in hand. The former is often used as a cover for the latter. The saying goes, you do “well” by doing “good”.
Occasionally there is a true believer like Liddell but ultimately he was just a footnote
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I just had a read about Rev. George Pentecost. Interesting!
You're welcome, and thanks again for making this video! Always enjoy listening to your insights and like how you don't shy away from uncomfortable issues, but put things in perspective. Glad your curiosity was piqued about George Pentecost. He was genuinely sympathetic to the Chinese and probably the other peoples he ministered to, and I think that was generally the case among American missionaries in the early 20th century.@@nickinchina2552
❤❤❤u r my sleep time history book
😘😘😘 This means a great deal to me, thank you so much
Love you Nick...
Well...thank you very much 😀😀😀
Thanks for the brief history and views around Tianjin. I guess the UK and Europeans left a good legacy from their contributions to building interesting infrastructure, amazing what the Victorians were capapble of; which the Chinese can now use. I rather liked the the look of the porcelain covered China House, which may fit in to Barcelona ambience.
Too arrogant to be a nice person. That's u.
Despite the insane history the old European buildings are very lovely. The China house definitely had some Gaudi influence!
China House is one of the strangest things in Tianjin. Although it claims to be a……museum, but I think it's more like a product of some sort of weird performance arts.
Or over enthusiasm by the owner creator ! I visited the place 10 years ago as a tourist and found it gaudy .
certainly is a very odd place!
I understand Tianjin has a airbus assembly plant & the only one outside Europe
It does indeed have an Airbus plant!
(5:19) Want an example of kitch? This is it.
haha! yup!
British legacy now continued by the US.
There is a difference between a concession and a colony. A concession is a rental, where the victim country retains nominal sovereign. In a colony, the aggressor state has sovereignty..
In the case of Hong Kong, the island of Hong Kong is a colony. China cedes the sovereignty to the British after the opium war. The new territory of Hong Kong had a 100 year lease from 1897 to 1997. I don't think the British paid rent. Thatcher initially wanted to relinquish only the new territory, not the island of Hong Kong. DXP spat at that offer.
Finally, I find these western missionaries despicable. They were so interested in doing the work of the Lord and moral grand standing. While in fact they rode on the backs of war, opium trade and ruthless depredations of a local population.
Western missionaries kept Europe dark for 1,000 years, and they did nothing except brainwash the people. they also sexually assaulted boys….🥵
It is undeniable that the British concession business in Tianjin is the best.smart🤭It’s just that the Qing government is an idiot landlord🤬and doesn’t know charge more rent🤦🏿♀️
My impression seems to be that the Qing government owed money to Britain and then used Hong Kong to pay off the debt. so 😂
The style of Tianjin looks like an American city, the weather seemed to be good on the day you shot, and the light gave the film a cinematic quality. I have been in southern China for a long time and have not had the opportunity to go to northern cities. From your lens, I can see that the city is very clean and everything is going on in an orderly manner.
I wish every day i film had light like that! Get to the north, really different from the south!