China News Agency, Beijing, July 25th: Kerry Brown: Understanding China is a rigid need

　　Author Liu Cui

　　Kerry Brown is a well-known expert in China studies in the United Kingdom, Director of the Liu Institute of China Studies at King's College London, and Associate Research Fellow of the Asia-Pacific Program of the Royal Institute of International Affairs.

Carey Brown has a close relationship with China, has traveled all over China, and is the author of twenty books on contemporary Chinese history, politics, and culture.

In his new book, "China in the Eyes of Europeans: 800 Years of Cultural and Knowledge Exchange", he wrote: "Whether you like it or not, China already has the ability to support its surroundings through investment, commerce, tourism, anti-epidemic and other means. the ability to exert a profound influence on the world”, for people in the 21st century, understanding and contact with China has increasingly become a rigid need.

　　Recently, Professor Brown accepted an exclusive interview with China News Agency's "East-West Question" in London, sharing his insights on the important issues currently facing the world, as well as the opportunities and challenges China may face.

The following is a summary of the interview transcript:

China News Service: The current international situation has led to a new round of predictions about the "development prospects of globalization".

Some people even think that with the deterioration of Sino-US relations, the escalation of global regional conflicts, and the transformation of the global industrial chain under the new crown epidemic, the curtain of the era of globalization is slowly falling. What is your observation?

Kerry Brown:

I think Europe and North America have been really strong and dominant in the world for the last 150 years or so.

Today, people are witnessing the gradual shift of the engine of economic growth to Asia.

Asia Pacific has become a hub of the global economy in terms of manufacturing, markets, finance and supply.

Although the United States and Europe remain important, the Asia-Pacific region has become the third world economic center, with the global center gradually shifting from the West to the East.

　　I think getting used to this shift is really more of a mentality issue.

Globalization is by no means a simple process, nor is it a harmonious unity, it has many problems.

But what I will say is that Asia has become as globalized as the US and Europe.

The globalization of Asia requires more platforms and spaces.

In May 2022, during the new crown epidemic, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Wharf resumed production.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhang Hengwei

China News Service: China-US relations have made great achievements in the past 50 years, but recently they have encountered the most severe test since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

What is your observation on Sino-US relations and its development prospects?

What impact will it have on the world?

Kerry Brown:

It is clear that the relationship between China and the United States is not an easy one.

In the past, the relationship between China and the United States may have been better than now, because China was much weaker than the United States at the time, and the United States would feel more in control, and the rise of China today makes the United States uncomfortable.

　　The main question now should be how to deal effectively with this relationship.

This is unavoidable, but can be managed over the long term and has an ongoing dialogue.

This is a tough time.

　　In addition, there are two options that are not implemented and persist: one is that the two are completely divorced from all relations, which is impossible; It is also unsustainable.

So China and the United States have to work with each other because there is no other way, and that's why we need to continue working on this relationship.

China News Service: In the face of the common challenges of mankind, global dialogue and cooperation have never been more important.

Is it an opportunity to "seek common ground while reserving differences" for countries with different political and social systems to unite to solve common problems faced by mankind?

Kerry Brown:

We have no choice.

These years have witnessed global epidemics and climate change, and people have found it necessary to cooperate with each other.

This is closely related to people's self-interest, and even if self-interest is at the center, they must cooperate with each other to try to solve these problems.

Throughout history, international cooperation has always significantly outnumbered international conflict.

Conflict is not the mainstream of history, although it can have dramatic effects.

　　Politically related dialogues between China and the US and Europe are often very difficult.

But their conversations about global climate change were very pragmatic, focused and constructive.

In my opinion, the future needs to focus on more pragmatic and effective issues, rather than always talking about culture and values.

After fruitful results have been achieved on these pragmatic and effective issues, it may be possible to talk about more difficult issues.

On July 21, 2022, the World Youth Development Forum opened in Beijing.

The picture shows the participants taking a group photo.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhao Jun

China News Service: In recent years, due to changes in the world situation and the continuation of the new crown epidemic, there have been misunderstandings and misjudgments between China and the West. Is this the price that China must pay for its rise?

Kerry Brown:

I think this is an inevitable problem for China.

In many ways, China's international prestige has grown extremely rapidly and in a sense unexpected, which can lead to some confusion.

Faced with this new situation, China may not be too accustomed to promoting itself to the world or finding a way to express it.

　　But the Western learning and cognition of China has already existed.

China is indeed undergoing a role change, becoming more international prestige and world influence.

China News Service: Given China's outstanding achievements and rapid rise on the world stage, is the traditional model of "China should learn from the West" outdated?

If you think the learning between China and the West should be two-way, what specific experiences and advantages does China have to learn from?

Kerry Brown:

In fact, we have always been students in China, and my new book expresses this meaning in particular.

For a long time, China has taught Europe many things and brought many influences.

China taught Europe some important techniques, such as ceramic technology and craftsmanship.

Chinese garden art and many designs, as well as certain governance methods at that time, also had a profound impact on Europe.

In 2019, Hong Kong Disneyland launched the "Happy Chinese New Year" float. The float was full of Chinese elements. Mickey and Minnie wore new New Year clothes to greet everyone.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhang Wei

　　Therefore, "China is also a teacher" - this is not a new saying, but a long-standing understanding.

　　But most importantly, we need the willingness to express and communicate.

The West certainly has a lot that China can learn from, but the West can also learn from China and thus build a closer relationship of mutual cooperation.

We have to forget the saying "China is a student".

In my opinion, China has already "graduated", not a student.

(Finish)

Interviewee Profile:

　　Kerry Brown, a well-known British expert in China studies, director of the Liu Institute of China Studies at King's College London, and associate researcher of the Asia-Pacific Program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs.