Global officials, experts share insights on telling well Chinese Modernization stories
(ECNS) -- Chinese modernization has far-reaching significance for the development of the world, but the world's understanding of it needs to be enhanced, said officials and experts from several countries during the forum themed “Telling Well the Stories of the Chinese Modernization: Better Methods for Greater Effectiveness”, at the 8th Understanding China Conference that kicked off on Monday in Guangzhou.
Lu Xiaohua, executive editor-in-chief of Journal Department at the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy and dean of the School of New Media and Communication, Tianjin University, pointed out that the key to understanding China is to understand Chinese modernization.
“To understand China, we need to understand the need to further deepen reforms in a comprehensive manner and promote Chinese modernization,” Lu said, adding that this is because Chinese modernization can meet the expectations of 1.4 billion people for a better life and will make new and greater contributions to world peace and development.
Understanding China requires more civilization exchanges and mutual learning
Patrick Nijs, former Belgian Ambassador to China, pointed out that China has vast dimensions and high governance efficiency when it comes to technological and social progress, which encompasses the concept of modernization.
“There is no reason to resist this passively by rejection or actively by confrontation. In this context, we have to hope that Europe will choose its own way in dealing with the emergence of China,” he said.
The speech of Kyle Ferrana, author of Why the World Needs China, highlighted the Western media’s portrayal of China, which he argued fosters fear and suspicion. He urged the refocus of the narrative on addressing the hopes of global workers, migrants, and farmers. “While the Western press is fixated on GDP growth and stock markets, the real story is China’s unparalleled success in elevating living standards and reducing poverty,” he said.
Ferrana argued that this focus should not merely defend China's economic achievements but highlight how they contrast with the struggles faced in the West, such as unaffordable housing and unchecked wealth inequality. “The West worships wealth, but wealth is worthless if it is not shared,” he remarked.
Andrey Bystritskiy, chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club, stressed that communication is not merely a tool but the essence of human civilization.
“Civilization begins with communication,” he stated, highlighting how humans, unlike animals, developed complex systems of dialogue that enabled societies to flourish. “It is unimaginable to think of civilization without communication,” he added.
Understanding China requires good storytelling
For the world to better understand Chinese modernization, we need to take the initiative to tell a good Chinese story, the attendees said.
Li Yongqiang, secretary of the Party Committee and president of China Renmin University Press, stated that Chinese films, music, dance and other artistic works have been welcomed globally, which not only demonstrates the charm of Chinese culture, but also promotes exchanges and integration with cultures around the world.
“At the same time, Chinese-style modernization advocates respect for the diversity of world civilizations and emphasizes equality and tolerance among them,” he said.
Chinese are very proactive in bringing their products to the world while most countries use Chinese products, including developing and developed countries, said Zafar Uddin Mahood, president of the Understanding China Forum and former special envoy for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
He noted that technical cooperation between Pakistan and China has trained technical talents for Pakistan and enabled many young Pakistanis to get employed.
“China is very willing to share what it has, not just with Pakistan but with the rest of the world,” he said.
Understanding China requires innovative approaches
Telling Chinese modernization stories requires an innovative approach, as well as the establishment of a high degree of cultural self-awareness and confidence, experts said.
"The convenient answer for a society incapable of solving its own problems is to blame someone else. Thus we have the proliferation of narratives that China is somehow responsible for Western problems," said Josef Gregory Mahoney, professor of politics and international relations at East China Normal University.
According to him, the West is living through its own declines, both relative and absolute, in real time, and this is the reason why it tends to blame China for its own incapability.
China should show the world its position of strength and real value, seeking truth from facts and telling those truths with frankness, suggested Mahoney.
Huang Rihan, professor at the College of International Relations at Huaqiao University and dean of the Maritime Silk Road Institute, shared his views on telling Chinese modernization stories. According to him, on the one hand, more foreign friends should be invited to visit China; on the other hand, the country should take the initiative to introduce it to the world, presenting a true image of China as a country worthy of friendship, trust and respect.