Editor’s Note:
China’s rise has made tremendous contributions to the world; yet, some people in the West still view it through a lens of fear and concern. “The real problem is that we don’t know how to navigate the rise of China,” commented prestigious German sinologist Wolfgang Kubin (Kubin) in a recent interview with Global Times (GT) reporter Ma Ruiqian, attributing this issue to Western politicians’ lack of consultations with specialists who truly understand China or Asia. He also shared his memories of China’s remarkable development since his first trip to the country, as well as his views on how Chinese culture promotes world peace and development.
GT: You first came to China in 1974 for an exchange study program in Beijing. What changes and continuities have you noticed since your first visit?
Kubin: Fifty years ago, when you looked out of the window, you would have seen fields and farmers growing wheat and millet. Today, Beijing has become a city and is one of the most important cities in the world.
China has allowed people to improve their livelihoods, and I am confident that this will continue in the future. I believe there will be an even better quality of life ahead.
GT: China has been expanding its 144-hour visa-free transit policy to include more countries. How do you view the role of such a policy in facilitating people-to-people exchanges?
Kubin: This policy is a positive step in diplomacy, allowing many friends to visit and experience China firsthand. They often express that their experiences differ greatly from what they read in the media.
For instance, I met a young Austrian writer in Shanghai who was there for three months. He remarked on how China wasn’t as he expected it to be. He said the girls are all laughing and smiling there. A Berlin writer, who had often written about his longing to return to China, especially to Shanghai and Beijing, also shared similar sentiments.
People in Germany often ask why I’ve been in China for over 10 years, and my answer is simple: I enjoy being with the Chinese people and teaching at Chinese universities. I’m truly happy here.
GT: You mentioned before that Chinese culture is centered around humanity. How do you view the contributions of China’s unique concepts and culture to world peace and development, such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)?
Kubin: In my view, the BRI is the right path to help the world achieve freedom and peace. China is not only a great nation with a rich culture and civilization, but it can also play a vital role in bringing peace to the world.
GT: In the Western world, there are many negative narratives about China, such as the “China threat” narrative. You have asked before, “Why be afraid of China”? How do you view the recent negative voices in some European countries regarding China? How should the West rationally approach China’s development in recent years?
Kubin: Organizations like the CIA constantly spread misinformation. The problem is that, at present, China is seen as too strong by some Western governments. As a result, these governments tend to accept whatever narratives the CIA fabricates. The CIA creates stories that are not true or half true. The US wants to maintain its top position – this is why it needs its so-called partners – who, in reality, are often slaves to the US, to believe these stories. We lack confidence in our own strength, and so we blindly trust the US, which profits from us while sacrificing Europe for its own interests.
Now, China is actively helping Africa, which is a positive development. However, many Europeans, especially those in Eastern Europe, fear that they won’t be able to compete with China in the future and worry that China will take over. This is impossible. China will never take over Europe. It’s based on a wrong feeling rather than fact.
The real problem is that we don’t know how to navigate the rise of China because our politicians rarely consult specialists – people who truly understand not just China, but Asia as a whole. In Western Europe, there are few politicians who can speak or read Chinese or have an accurate understanding of the country.
