The Chinese term guanxi refers to relational ties that shape social life through trust, reciprocity, and moral obligation. Rooted in Confucian ethics, guanxi continues to influence how Chinese people form and sustain relationships. Yet Chinese Christians reinterpret these networks in light of their faith, creating transnational ties that transcend traditional boundaries.

In this keynote, sociologist Fenggang Yang presents empirical findings on distinctive patterns of Chinese Christian transnational connections, showing how these relationships generate both social capital and spiritual capital. By exploring how guanxi is transformed by faith, the talk reveals the creative ways Chinese Christians build communities of meaning and solidarity across borders.