On this day, January 2nd, in 1900, the U.S. Secretary of State John Hay declared an ‘Open Door Note’ to trade with China.
Significance of the Open Door Note
Today the trade relationship between the United States and China makes the daily news. A recent report stated that China imports $106 billion dollars of American goods per year and Americans purchase $452 billion dollars per year of Chinese goods [1]. In both nations jobs, businesses and livelihoods depend on the trade relationship. The ‘Open Door Note,’ issued 122 years ago, was an important step towards the robust trade relationship between both nations today.
Historical Context of the Open Door Note
In 1900, the world map reflected the expansive rule of European colonialism. The most prolific of the empire at the time was Great Britain. The phrase ‘The Sun Sets on the British Empire’ was in reference to how the sun was shining on a part of the vast British Empire which included: India, West Indies, South Africa, Kenya; the city states of Hong Kong and Singapore; and the entire continent of Australia.
While the U.S. at this time was not nearly as powerful as the British, America did seek to establish itself as a powerful nation on the world’s stage. In 1898, the United States had colonized Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines and sought more influence around the world. China, because of its vast population of potential producers and buyers and its natural resources was highly sought of by the United States. The U.S. briefly considered colonizing China, but that was quickly ruled as impossible, so therefore, diplomatic means were employed to secure trading privileges. [2]
The Open Door Note
America was not alone in desiring access to Chinese trade. Japan, Germany, Great Britain, France and Russia also were vying to trade with the largest nation in Asia. With diplomatic skill and negotiation, Secretary of State Hay, proposed a compromise where foregin powers could share ‘spheres of influence’ within China to allow for unimpeded trade and open ports.
The careful wording in Hay’s ‘Open Door Note’ was to: “Remove any cause of irritation [between competing European and U.S powers] and to insure at the same time to the commerce of all nations in China the undoubted benefits which should accrue from a formal recognition by the various powers claiming ‘spheres of interest.’” [3]
Impact of the Open Door Note
Historians attribute the ‘Open Door Note’ with providing a framework for U.S. diplomatic and economic policies with China that would contribute towards the vast economic expansion between both nations during the early 1900s and from 1979* to today. [4]
Gospel Connection
Biblically and historically when trade occurs, the gospel spreads. Most of the earliest Christian churches were in port cities (Phillipi, Ephesus, Corinth) or along major rivers (Rome, Philadelphia, Antioch). Since the cities were accessible to trade, they were also accessible for the gospel to spread and for apostles, such as Paul, to visit to plant and strengthen churches located in the Mediterranean.
Most of the inland churches of the New Testament were near Roman built roads (Sardis, Colosee). Even the Damascus Road, where Paul encountered Jesus powerfully in Acts 9, was a Roman built road that connected Damascus to Jerusalem. The New Testament shows how God uses man made roads, built for Roman empire building and trade facilitation, for the salvation of many and for the gospel to be spread.
Today, the open doors of trade and commerce in China have provided open doors for the Gospel to spread, even with the government opposition and religious persecutions that missionaries and Christians face.
Let’s pray for more open doors for the gospel to spread and let’s use the open doors that trade and commerce that God has given us for His glory. And please visit the Open Doors’ website which provides more information about how to pray and give towards churches facing persecution.
Footnotes:
- https://ustr.gov/countries-regions
- https://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/hay-and-china
- https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/opendoor.htm
* In 1979 Trade with China was reestablished. Trade ceased between both nations from 1959-1979 under the beginning of Communist rule in China.
- https://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/hay-and-china