China News Service, Hangzhou, March 23: Why do China and Arab states need more direct civilized dialogue?

　　——Exclusive interview with Adhan Said, researcher at the Institute of East Asian Studies at Zhejiang Gongshang University

　　Author Zhang Bin Bao Mengni

　　As the intersection of Eastern and Western cultures, what role and advantages does the Arab region have in promoting exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations? Why do China and Arab states need more direct civilized dialogue? Recently, China News Service's "East-West Question" conducted an exclusive interview in Hangzhou with Adham Sayed (Lebanese), a researcher at the Institute of East Asia at Zhejiang Gongshang University who was invited to participate in the first Wuyi Forum series.

The interview transcript is summarized as follows:

China News Service reporter: As a scholar from the Arab region, what is your impression of China's past and present?

Adhan Saeed:

I am a PhD in economics, graduated from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, and now work at Zhejiang Gongshang University. While studying and working in China, my research interests gradually turned to international relations, especially the deep relations between Arab countries and China.

　　Arab countries have long historical ties with China. In ancient times, ambassadors sent by Chinese emperors traveled to the West and reached the vicinity of Arab countries, providing an initial understanding of the two distant places. During the prosperous period of the Silk Road, we had more trade and cultural exchanges. The story of the Arab Ibn Battuta fascinates me. This ancient traveler traveled to many places in China, including Hangzhou, Zhejiang, and Quanzhou, Fujian.

"The shining pearl on the ancient Silk Road" - the colorful Danxia scenery in Zhangye City, Gansu Province is charming. Photo by Wang Chao

　　However, three or four hundred years ago, the intervention of colonial forces interrupted our close ties. To this day, many Arabs’ understanding of China does not come from China itself, but is “filtered” by the West. Compared with the image of China exaggerated by the West, the China in my eyes is inclusive, open and developing peacefully.

Many merchants have entered Zhejiang Yiwu International Trade City, the world's largest small commodity distribution center. Photo by Wang Gang

　　Take Yiwu, Zhejiang, which I often visit, as an example. This small county is already a world-renowned economic and trade center. When I went to Yiwu for the first time, I was amazed by the bustling scene there. The local area provides Arabs and other foreigners with an excellent working and business environment. Many people have found careers and families there, and can do business and make money without any obstacles. In Yiwu, you can see people from different countries and races coexisting harmoniously. Arabs, Indians, Africans, Pakistanis, Latin Americans... they all bring their own cultures and find a common space here.

The National Big Data (Guizhou) Comprehensive Experimental Zone Exhibition Center has five exhibition areas, which respectively display the development process and top-level design of Guizhou’s big data, as well as the development of the industrial Internet, AI artificial intelligence, blockchain, and 5G. Photo by Qu Honglun

　　Guizhou, where I have been, also has another microcosm of China’s development. The geographical endowment there is limited, and the government overcomes the difficulties by developing the big data industry. I am deeply inspired by this spirit of innovation and breakthrough.

　　As a scholar, I have the responsibility and obligation to tell people the true situation about China and to reveal those facts that have been distorted and misunderstood. In the 1930s, doctor Shafick George Hatem, who was originally from Lebanon, came to China and joined the Communist Party of China in 1937. After that, he not only became a communist, but also actively participated in the construction of China's medical system. He spent his whole life here and contributed to China's development.

　　Every time I hear his story, I am deeply shocked and admired. This is why I have always emphasized the importance of media and scholars. I firmly believe that what we need is not more misunderstandings and prejudices, but direct dialogue and communication. We don’t need anyone to be the middle man, we need real, honest dialogue.

China News Service Reporter: How should Lebanon, which is located at the intersection of the East and the West, participate in the exchanges and cooperative development of civilizations between China and Afghanistan?

Adhan Said:

Lebanon is the crossroads between East and West. It is located on the sea leading to Europe, connecting Turkey, Syria and Palestine. Lebanon's importance lies not only in its geographical location, but also in its role as a historical and cultural crossroads between East and West. Despite being a small country, the Lebanese people are known for their kindness, warmth and multilingualism, reflecting our unique role in promoting communication throughout history.

On May 20, 2023, Adhan Said visited Lhasa, Tibet with the "2023 China Tibet Development Forum" delegation and took photos with local people in front of the Potala Palace. Photo provided by interviewee

　　In recent years, the economic cooperation between Arab countries and China has become increasingly close, promoting regional stability and development. China’s efforts to promote peace and negotiation on Middle East issues, such as the handshake between Iran and Saudi Arabia, have brought new hope and opportunities to the region.

　　Located in a strategic location, Lebanon has endured the hardships of the colonial era and now faces challenges from many sides, including the war in Syria and U.S. sanctions. This has greatly made it more difficult for Lebanon to carry out cooperation projects with China, further exacerbating the dilemma. Like other Arab countries, Lebanon has huge potential and hope, and cooperation with China will contribute to regional stability and prosperity. Although the heavy burden of history still exists, we should learn lessons from the past, gain experience, seek cooperation and development with an eye to the future, and work together for a better future for mankind.

　　China's "Belt and Road" initiative is a future-oriented project that demonstrates China's determination to contribute to world peace and development, and has attracted the participation of more and more countries and regions. As an independent individual, I try my best to understand China and show others the real China, including its history, culture and future plans, not only because I love China, but also because I love my compatriots and our future. .

Reporter from China News Service: Compared with Western modernization, what unique characteristics of Eastern culture does Chinese-style modernization show?

Adhan Said:

There are fundamental differences between Chinese-style modernization and Western modernization, which are not only reflected in the economic model, but also reflect the differences in the two cultures and values.

　　Western modernization is often based on the control and exploitation of other countries. This historical accumulation puts Western countries in a relatively advantageous position in the economic, technological and cultural fields. However, this advantage is based on war, colonization and exploitation, such as the history of Western countries' opium trade in China. They use these unfair means to obtain benefits, regardless of the development and people's livelihood of other countries. This Western modernization model is called a "zero-sum game", that is, the development of one country will inevitably lead to losses for other countries.

　　In contrast, Chinese-style modernization has taken a completely different path from that of the West. The Chinese model emphasizes "win-win", that is, achieving common benefits for all parties in the development process. In the process of Chinese-style modernization, the Chinese government not only focuses on its own development, but also takes into account the interests of neighboring countries and other developing countries. For example, in international cooperation, China has always adhered to the principle of "co-discussion, co-construction, and sharing". In international aid, China also practices the concept of "win-win" in completely different ways. Take China's aid to Africa as an example. China not only provides economic support, but is also committed to promoting local infrastructure construction, technical cooperation, talent training, etc., and encourages African countries to realize their potential and achieve independent development, rather than like Western countries. Intervene and control it that way. This assistance model with win-win cooperation as its core has won widespread recognition and support from African countries and people.

The locomotive of the "Yi-Xin-Europe" China-Europe freight train is preparing to dock with the vehicle body at Yiwu West Station in Zhejiang Province. Photo by Wang Gang

　　Chinese-style modernization also reflects the uniqueness and advantages of Eastern culture. Traditional Chinese culture emphasizes "the unity of nature and man" and "harmony and symbiosis", and pays attention to the interests and stability of the society as a whole. This cultural tradition makes the Chinese people pay more attention to unity, cooperation and common development, unlike Western countries that focus on personal interests and competition. In China's modernization process, this collectivist idea has played an important role in promoting social stability and development. China's successful experience provides a useful reference for other developing countries.

China News Service reporter: In your opinion, what positive progress has been made in exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations in recent years, and how can it be deepened?

Adhan Saeed:

China has shown an open side to the world in the past, especially in recent decades. Since the beginning of the Silk Road, China has opened its door to the world. China's trade with the world has long remained open. China's opening up is not only a policy choice, but also a cultural tradition that goes deep into the bone marrow. This has brought endless opportunities and benefits to the Chinese people, and also provided a platform for foreigners to realize their dreams.

　　As a foreigner who has lived in China for 9 years, I am grateful for the endless opportunities for growth here. Now, more and more people are choosing to go to China because of its rich opportunities, safe environment and friendly people. When I first came to China, not many Lebanese came, but now the situation is very different. In the Arab region, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, Chinese language is already taught in schools. In Lebanon, many families are beginning to realize the importance of learning Chinese and trying to teach it to their children.

Adhan Said's office displays the Chinese, Arabic and English versions of his book "Steadfast: A Foreigner's Diary of Wuhan". Photo by Zhang Bin

　　This kind of direct communication and contact that overcomes language barriers is crucial, but it is still not strong enough today. For example, I have watched many Chinese movies and programs that reflect China's history and current situation, but most of them are only presented in Chinese and lack multilingual translations, which makes it difficult for foreign audiences to have a deep understanding of the real China. Directly conveying Chinese culture and history to audiences in other languages, especially through videos, short videos and other forms, is the key to enhancing mutual understanding. I believe that with the advancement of relevant fields, China and other countries will be more closely connected and their mutual understanding will be deeper. (over)

Interviewee profile:

Adhan Said attended the 2023 Hehe Culture Global Forum and took photos. Photo provided by the interviewee himself

　　Adham Sayed, whose Chinese name is Yang Hang. Lebanese, born in 1988, currently a researcher at the Institute of East Asia at Zhejiang Gongshang University. He obtained a PhD in economics from Huazhong University of Science and Technology and is the author of "Steadfast: A Foreigner's Diary of Wuhan". The main research directions are political economics, economic development and international relations. His works have been published in "Economic Research", "China and Arab Studies", "Contemporary World", etc.