How can China speak to the world?

• Source: Global Times
• [22:19 August 17 2009]
• Comments

Sun: Stereotypes are in some sense part of a culture. No doubt, there are misunderstanding and stereotypes of China in the West. Such stereotypes are often crystallized, though not immutable, in Western culture.

To fight against such stereotypes, China needs to learn more about Western culture, so as to understand how such stereotypes are formed.

Chinese people believe that we understand the West better than the West understands China. But a nation’s culture is more than movies, food and games. Culture is a multi-layered, plural, abstract, and rich concept. There are also Western people’s behavior, lifestyle, fashion, and language.

More importantly, we need to learn and understand their beliefs, attitudes and values. These are inner forces that drive Western people’s behavior and performance. For example, most Chinese youngsters can recognize the US one-dollar bill. But how many of them can remember and indeed understand the motto printed on the bill, “IN GOD WE TRUST?” Americans’ religion influences every nook and corner of their lives. Without understanding their religions and values, we can’t understand their culture, and their feelings about us.

GT: In the past 60 years, China has been observed and interpreted by the rest of the world from their perspectives. Why cannot China convey its own interpretation to the world?

Sun: The issues is not whether China can be interpreted from a Chinese perspective, rather it is a question whether such an interpretation can be communicated to the world effectively.
China is not efficient in seeking and using suitable communication channels to covey its values and interpretations to the world. There are a number of factors contributing to such a situation. For example, the dominance of the English language, the lack of access to Chinese media in the West, and the inadequacies of translation.

GT: As a growing country, can China proposes its own system of theories and values and be recognized by others?

Li: The answer lies in dialogue. Good journalism, according to Liang Qichao, should serve the people by reporting diversified, balanced and accurate stories. By doing that, good journalism strengthens mutual understanding and trust between different peoples.

A genuine free press and good journalism is characterized by dialogue with your imagined enemy. You must follow their logic and thoughts.

Media studies indicate that the media’s tolerance and acceptance of diversity is determined by its audience’s willingness to access different perspectives and viewpoints.

Do Western audiences tolerate alternative or even competing narratives about the July 5 Urumqi riots? Are they willing to read stories and opinions from Chinese media?

Only diverse and contrary viewpoints published in the same media can help the international community reach a consensus and help people live together in harmony.

Sun: To let others recognize, and finally accept its values or outlooks, China should demonstrate what kind of benefit such a system of values would bring to developed countries.
A value system that China can construct or advocate for at least should be humanistic, because only in this way can a system be embraced by the majority.

GT: What are the steps we can take to strengthen China’s presence and voice in the world?

Sun: Socrates once said, “the way to achieve a better reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” If China wishes to be a trusted, friendly, and responsible nation, then the government and the citizenry should strive to make that true.

Effective communication between different nations is important for boosting the image of a country. Communication, however, is a misused or abused term in the context of international or intercultural relations.

Messages in the media are just one dimension of communication; we need to establish a variety of relationships in order to make ourselves more prominent.

Gong: We need to take a two-step strategy in order to speak up in the world. The first step is to participate in every aspect of the international community, adjust to the “rules of the game” and grow. The next step is to gradually influence, change and make the rule, without throwing ourselves around. If China brags about changing the rules as it enters the world, it will become a target.

Moreover, China must learn to have a dialogue with the international community on equal footing. We should diversify our ways of talking and use more than one voice to convey our messages. Using acceptable ways of communication, China should be able to talk to the Western countries more effectively.