One of those early Christians who spend decades in China, was Billy Grahams father-in-law, Dr. Lemuel Nelson Bell. Billy Graham had the utmost respect for his father-in-law.
Billy Graham, in his early years used to state his political views. He was burned so badly, that he stayed away from it for decades. Until the 1990's, when the US renewed China's Normal Trade Relations status. If you recall, Congress had to renew it every year. Well, Billy Graham was asked for his opinion on several ocassions. And he understood full well the political ramifications. What do you think he did? He endorsed NTR for China every year. I'm not sure how often they asked him, but nonetheless, he endorsed NTR.
So, I am well aware of America's Christian heritge and how it relates to China. The question now is, would those early Christians who spent so much time in China approve of China's economic progress? I think they would.
And keep in mind, not all Americans think alike. Which is true of every nation or people group. Before the American Civil War (I'm not getting into the cause of the Civil War, just using it as a time marker), there were many Christians who wanted to outlaw slavery. But there were other Christians who were equally indignant at someone telling them what to do. I bring this up, because even within America today, there isn't a consensus on how China should be viewed.
If everyone thought like you and many others on the FR in regards to China, wouldn't trade with China have already ended? But instead, it marches on.
Getting back to those early American Christians who dedicated their lives evangelizing China, building schools, hospitals, etc. I think they would approve of the industrialization and modernization of China. And with these new found resources, would approve of Chinese Christians getting ready to evangelize to the Muslim world.
Every reasonable person approves of the Chinese growing prosperity.
No American, conservative or otherwise, approves of the Chinese COMMUNIST government.