The Hong Kong Wen Wei Po, a Chinese newspaper, released on March 3, 2007 a survey that was conducted by professors from the East China Normal University in Shanghai.  Of 4,500 persons surveyed, 31.4 % of those over 16 years old admitted to having some religious faith.  This is an estimated 300 million people.  This number is three times bigger than the official government estimate.  Just the day before, China's Outlook Weekly published a report on the religious activities of farmers in the North West region of China.  They noticed an upsurge of temple construction.  For instance, they found 297 temples in 22 villages in Jingbian County, Shanxi Province, not including the small family temples.  Most farmers, in the area, are poor; but they are very generous when asked to give money for temple construction. 

Experts claim that man's hunger for religious faith is natural and cannot be barred.  In fact, the mainline religious faiths have been deemed beneficial to the development and stability of societies.  The government should not suppress nor pressure people in matter of faith and belief. 

A third newspaper, The China Daily, surveys project the existence of 40 million Christians, i.e., 12% of the total number of religious people in China.  In 2005, the Chinese government declared there were 16 million Christians.  However, the Church worldwide believes the number is probably between 50 and 100 million (2007).

Mr. Liu Zhong Yu, professor at the East China Normal University points out that youth today, while enjoying modern technology, are demonstrating strong interest in age-old religious faith.  Today's moral values are degenerating.  Friendships are shallow.  Interpersonal relationships are growing distant.  Education, science, wealth, and material things – none of them can satisfy their spiritual needs.  Youth are discovering that spiritual needs need spiritual medicine; thus, they seek for religious faith.  I believe that we, who preach the gospel, must understand what these mean.  We are incorrect if we think that the youth have found satisfaction from today's world and that they do not need faith.   Modern man dislikes rigid religion; but seeks for something that is applicable to their life.  We have the responsibility to introduce everyone, young and old alike, to the one True and Living God.  We need to recognize that old people are lonely.  The government and the society have failed to help them.  Their only lifeline is the Truth that is found in Jesus Christ.