poverty
The Church in China: Learning to Fly in a Birdcage
By Joann Pittman at Desiring God
· June 18, 2026
· 6 min read
In 1980, at the beginning of China’s economic reform era, a Party leader described the emerging Chinese economy as a “birdcage.” He said the bird (the nascent free market) could be allowed to fly only within the confines of a state-planned economy (the birdcage). In other words, Chinese capitalism m
Key takeaway In the late 1990s and 2000s, the size of the birdcage expanded, resulting in more space for religious life.
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Category: poverty ·
Published: June 18, 2026 ·
Source: Desiring God ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? In 1980, at the beginning of China’s economic reform era, a Party leader described the emerging Chinese economy as a “birdcage.” He said the bird (the nascent free market) could be allowed to fly only within the confines of a state-planned economy (the birdcage). In other words, Chinese capitalism m
When was this published? This article was first published on June 18, 2026 by Desiring God and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joann Pittman at Desiring God. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more poverty coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .