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Associated Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
‘My time in Sichuan shows harmony of multi-ethnic unity': Global Times
08/06/2025, Beijing, China // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Curiosity about China is drawing a growing number of international travelers to visit the country. From walking on ancient stones atop the Great Wall to riding high-speed trains between glittering skylines, many say they've discovered a China they didn't expect to see. In our special series, 'Journey Through China,' the Global Times shares the impressions of international travelers who have recently spent time in China. Their firsthand accounts - ranging from casual observations to thoughtful reflections - shed light on three key aspects of today's China: infrastructure, modernization and traditional culture. In the third article of the series, Global Times (GT) reporter Ma Ruiqian talked to Paul Zilungisele Tembe (Tembe), director at the SELE Encounters Cross-Civilization Communication Strategies in South Africa and recipient of the 18th Special Book Award of China. He recently participated in a cultural tour to Sichuan Province and shared his perspective on China. GT: You mentioned that the experience of harmonious living among the multi-ethnic residents of Sichuan, a convergence of diversities toward a united and unique Chinese culture have left an indelible mark in your understanding of Chinese culture. How is this cultural inclusiveness embodied in the call of China-proposed Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) for respecting the diversity of world civilizations? Tembe: The GCI is rooted in the essence of multi-ethnicity. It starts from local diversity - ethnic, cultural - and expands to national, regional and eventually global dimensions. My time in Sichuan gave me a vivid impression of what unity within diversity can look like. Coming from South Africa - a country with 12 official languages and a complex multi-ethnic society - I saw parallels. We gained our democracy in 1994, and we are still working through the process of building a unified national identity. My experience in Sichuan gave me a glimpse of what South Africa could aspire to in the long term. All the units are perfect and harmonious. I truly wish that one day Sichuan and a province in South Africa could become sister provinces. We could learn a lot from each other, especially given our shared experiences with multi-ethnic societies. GT: During your visit to Siguniang Mountains and the Wolong National Nature Reserve, you've observed a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. What is your view of China's approach to environmental protection and green development? Tembe: President Xi Jinping put forward the idea of 'Beautiful China,' meaning care for the environment. What I took away from my time in Sichuan - beyond the harmony of multi-ethnic unity - was how human development is being balanced with the protection of nature. What touched me even more deeply was my visit to the Wolong National Nature Reserve. It showed that China is able to pursue modernization without sacrificing its traditions or its environment. In addition, I visited the Siguniang Mountains and saw many kinds of precious stones in the museum. Although the region is rich in natural resources, mining is prohibited in order to protect the ecosystem. These are practical models that can be applied to the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Although climate agreements are often signed, implementation remains a challenge. What I appreciate about China is that its environmental efforts are scientific and systematic. These models can be transferred to other countries and still function effectively. I especially hope to see more cooperation within the Global South. Right now, we are a bit behind in terms of climate finance and environmental planning. But if countries in the Global South work together - through South-South cooperation or other multilateral platforms - we could adopt the Chinese model and create a better environmental trajectory. GT: Although China and Africa differ in terms of geography, culture, history and social structures, they share common values such as peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. As a long-time advocate for China-Africa cultural exchanges, how did your travels and experiences in China lead you to recognize and resonate with these shared values? Tembe: When we talk about values, I believe we should take a step back and look at deeper philosophical roots. For example, if we consider some core tenets of Confucianism, we find values that are deeply relevant both in China and Africa. Africa stands for peace, values harmony, and is committed to hard work. Africa wants tangible and concrete results. It seeks partnerships based on equality and mutual respect. If we look at China's proposals for cooperation with Africa, especially starting from President Xi's 2013 visit to Tanzania, the four-point proposal - sincerity, real results, amity and good faith - aligns closely with African expectations of partnership. These are not just diplomatic phrases; they reflect deeper cultural values that we can trace both in Chinese civilization and in African traditions. GT: There are still some narratives in international discourse that promote the 'China threat' rhetoric. Based on your years of living and studying in China - especially your understanding of its peace-oriented cultural traditions - how would you respond to such claims? Tembe: I will give you both perspectives: The Western one, based on projection and fear; and the Chinese one, based on unity and peaceful development. First, there's a tendency that if someone has done bad things to others, they begin to judge others through that same lens. That's what we see with how the West views China. They fear that China's rise will mirror their own rise during the 15th and 16th centuries. Let's recall - the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) saw China's doors to the outside world shut. Meanwhile, the West was expanding, taking advantage of China's absence from the high seas. That period marked the beginning of Western colonialism. So now, they look at China and assume China will behave the way they did. But that's not about China; that's about them. They project their own past - colonization and domination - onto China, but they also suffer from historical amnesia. China has always had one consistent focus: unity and development. China has no interest in controlling others. China seeks friendships abroad to create a stable external environment that allows it to survive and thrive in the long run. China has experienced many historical upheavals. So its greatest concern - in development, finance and foreign policy - is preserving a unified China. I would say, as someone who studies and understands China, the West is worrying for nothing. China is not going to become the kind of global threat they imagine. But there's one thing: Nature does not allow a vacuum. In English, we say 'when the cat's away, the mice will play.' In geopolitics, the same principle applies. China needs to have a strong presence globally. But a strong global presence does not mean colonialism or the control of other countries. These things are not the same. Source: Global Times: Company: Global Times Contact Person: Anna Li Email: [email protected] Website: City: Beijing
Business Upturn
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Upturn
‘My time in Sichuan shows harmony of multi-ethnic unity': Global Times
Beijing, China, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Curiosity about China is drawing a growing number of international travelers to visit the country. From walking on ancient stones atop the Great Wall to riding high-speed trains between glittering skylines, many say they've discovered a China they didn't expect to see. In our special series, 'Journey Through China,' the Global Times shares the impressions of international travelers who have recently spent time in China. Their firsthand accounts – ranging from casual observations to thoughtful reflections – shed light on three key aspects of today's China: infrastructure, modernization and traditional culture. In the third article of the series, Global Times (GT) reporter Ma Ruiqian talked to Paul Zilungisele Tembe (Tembe), director at the SELE Encounters Cross-Civilization Communication Strategies in South Africa and recipient of the 18th Special Book Award of China. He recently participated in a cultural tour to Sichuan Province and shared his perspective on China. GT: You mentioned that the experience of harmonious living among the multi-ethnic residents of Sichuan, a convergence of diversities toward a united and unique Chinese culture have left an indelible mark in your understanding of Chinese culture. How is this cultural inclusiveness embodied in the call of China-proposed Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) for respecting the diversity of world civilizations? Tembe: The GCI is rooted in the essence of multi-ethnicity. It starts from local diversity – ethnic, cultural – and expands to national, regional and eventually global dimensions. My time in Sichuan gave me a vivid impression of what unity within diversity can look like. Coming from South Africa – a country with 12 official languages and a complex multi-ethnic society – I saw parallels. We gained our democracy in 1994, and we are still working through the process of building a unified national identity. My experience in Sichuan gave me a glimpse of what South Africa could aspire to in the long term. All the units are perfect and harmonious. I truly wish that one day Sichuan and a province in South Africa could become sister provinces. We could learn a lot from each other, especially given our shared experiences with multi-ethnic societies. GT: During your visit to Siguniang Mountains and the Wolong National Nature Reserve, you've observed a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. What is your view of China's approach to environmental protection and green development? Tembe: President Xi Jinping put forward the idea of 'Beautiful China,' meaning care for the environment. What I took away from my time in Sichuan – beyond the harmony of multi-ethnic unity – was how human development is being balanced with the protection of nature. What touched me even more deeply was my visit to the Wolong National Nature Reserve. It showed that China is able to pursue modernization without sacrificing its traditions or its environment. In addition, I visited the Siguniang Mountains and saw many kinds of precious stones in the museum. Although the region is rich in natural resources, mining is prohibited in order to protect the ecosystem. These are practical models that can be applied to the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Although climate agreements are often signed, implementation remains a challenge. What I appreciate about China is that its environmental efforts are scientific and systematic. These models can be transferred to other countries and still function effectively. I especially hope to see more cooperation within the Global South. Right now, we are a bit behind in terms of climate finance and environmental planning. But if countries in the Global South work together – through South-South cooperation or other multilateral platforms – we could adopt the Chinese model and create a better environmental trajectory. GT: Although China and Africa differ in terms of geography, culture, history and social structures, they share common values such as peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. As a long-time advocate for China-Africa cultural exchanges, how did your travels and experiences in China lead you to recognize and resonate with these shared values? Tembe: When we talk about values, I believe we should take a step back and look at deeper philosophical roots. For example, if we consider some core tenets of Confucianism, we find values that are deeply relevant both in China and Africa. Africa stands for peace, values harmony, and is committed to hard work. Africa wants tangible and concrete results. It seeks partnerships based on equality and mutual respect. If we look at China's proposals for cooperation with Africa, especially starting from President Xi's 2013 visit to Tanzania, the four-point proposal – sincerity, real results, amity and good faith – aligns closely with African expectations of partnership. These are not just diplomatic phrases; they reflect deeper cultural values that we can trace both in Chinese civilization and in African traditions. GT: There are still some narratives in international discourse that promote the 'China threat' rhetoric. Based on your years of living and studying in China – especially your understanding of its peace-oriented cultural traditions – how would you respond to such claims? Tembe: I will give you both perspectives: The Western one, based on projection and fear; and the Chinese one, based on unity and peaceful development. First, there's a tendency that if someone has done bad things to others, they begin to judge others through that same lens. That's what we see with how the West views China. They fear that China's rise will mirror their own rise during the 15th and 16th centuries. Let's recall – the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) saw China's doors to the outside world shut. Meanwhile, the West was expanding, taking advantage of China's absence from the high seas. That period marked the beginning of Western colonialism. So now, they look at China and assume China will behave the way they did. But that's not about China; that's about them. They project their own past – colonization and domination – onto China, but they also suffer from historical amnesia. China has always had one consistent focus: unity and development. China has no interest in controlling others. China seeks friendships abroad to create a stable external environment that allows it to survive and thrive in the long run. China has experienced many historical upheavals. So its greatest concern – in development, finance and foreign policy – is preserving a unified China. I would say, as someone who studies and understands China, the West is worrying for nothing. China is not going to become the kind of global threat they imagine. But there's one thing: Nature does not allow a vacuum. In English, we say 'when the cat's away, the mice will play.' In geopolitics, the same principle applies. China needs to have a strong presence globally. But a strong global presence does not mean colonialism or the control of other countries. These things are not the same. Source: Global Times: Company: Global TimesContact Person: Anna Li Email: [email protected] Website: Beijing Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
The Star
22-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Xinhua think tank report offers forward-looking insights on China-Central Asia cooperation
ASTANA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- China-Central Asia cooperation in the new era is set to drive regional development, enhance well-being, and offer a model for building a community with a shared future for humanity, said a Xinhua think tank report released on Sunday. The three major China-proposed global initiatives should guide regional cooperation, said the report titled "Championing the China-Central Asia Spirit: Achievements, Opportunities and Prospects for Regional Cooperation," released by Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency. Those initiatives are the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. The two sides have forged a China-Central Asia Spirit of "mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, and mutual assistance for the joint pursuit of modernization through high-quality development." The report said that future cooperation should uphold the principles of mutual support, common development, universal security and everlasting friendship. China and Central Asian countries should work to strengthen the foundation of a regional community with a shared future, usher in a new chapter of prosperity, build a shared shield for security and stability, and foster deeper people-to-people ties, according to the report. With a shared commitment to serving the interests of their peoples and building a brighter future, China and Central Asia have made the historic choice to create an even closer China-Central Asian community with a shared future, demonstrating their determination to elevate cooperation to a higher level, with higher standards and greater quality, it said.
The Star
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Cooperation between China, region becomes increasingly important
When President Xi Jinping hosted the first China-Central Asia Summit in the ancient Chinese city of Xi'an in 2023, it marked a pivotal moment in relations between the world's second-largest economy and the Eurasian heartland. In recent years, the strategic significance of Central Asia has surged, with five nations — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — assuming an increasingly important role in Eurasia's evolving geopolitical and economic landscape. Amid this changing landscape, China has emerged as the region's reliable partner, building a web of connectivity, security cooperation and strategic dialogue that is promoting the development of Eurasia. Central Asia's rise to global prominence stems from both geography and resources. Straddling the routes between East Asia, the Middle East and Europe, the region is central to facilitating transcontinental trade. It is also rich in energy, minerals and untapped market potential. It's also a vital corridor for the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. Central Asia has been an important partner in the initiative since its launch in 2013. New highways, railways, pipelines, logistics centers and customs corridors have been built or expanded to bridge China's western provincial-level regions with Europe, via Central Asia. The China-Europe freight train, a key symbol of the BRI, passes through cities like Almaty and Tashkent, transforming them into emerging transit hubs. These infrastructure projects are not merely about moving goods; they are about building interdependence. With upgraded ports of entry such as Khorgos and modern rail links like the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway now in development, the region is becoming a critical artery for trans-Eurasian commerce. For China, this helps reduce reliance on maritime routes and diversifies access to key markets. For Central Asia, it opens the door to global trade and investment on a scale never seen before. Ma Bin, a researcher at Fudan University's Center for Russian and Central Asian Studies, said the rapid development of connectivity projects has become a hallmark of the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Central Asian countries. As a result, trade facilitation between China and Central Asia has advanced markedly, Ma said. More important, the growing web of logistics infrastructure is helping Central Asian countries overcome the geographic constraints of being landlocked at the heart of the Eurasian region, he noted. Enhanced links with China, the European Union, the Middle East and Southeast Asia are laying a solid foundation for Central Asia's increased integration with major economic regions, the researcher said. Trade between China and Central Asia reached a record high of $94.8 billion last year, with China's cumulative investment in the region exceeding $30 billion. China is now Central Asia's top trading partner and major investment source. The emerging electric vehicle sector has become a highlight in China's economic and trade cooperation with Central Asian countries. In 2023, some 63,000 electric passenger vehicles rolled out of China through the Khorgos port, an astonishing year-on-year increase of 585.6 percent. Among them, 51,000 EVs were exported specifically to the five Central Asian countries, marking a 608.5 percent surge compared with the previous year. Chinese-branded EVs are rapidly gaining traction in markets across Central Asia. Key partners Security is another area where cooperation has increased significantly. China and the Central Asian countries share concerns about cross-border terrorism, extremism and organized crime. Joint exercises, intelligence coordination and law enforcement collaboration are now regular features of the regional landscape. Through platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China has helped shape a multilateral framework for regional stability that aligns closely with its principle of noninterference while promoting shared interests in peace and order. Education and cultural exchanges are becoming new pillars of engagement. Thousands of Central Asian students now study at Chinese universities, many on full scholarships. Academic cooperation, including Chinese language programs and vocational training, is expanding across the region. Such efforts, though less visible than roads or pipelines, are crucial for cultivating long-term trust and mutual understanding between generations. In a world often defined by fragmentation and rivalry, the steady strengthening of ties between China and Central Asia offers a different story — one where geography becomes a bridge rather than a barrier, and where cooperation, not competition, shapes the future. - China Daily/ANN
