Gain Greater Acceptance

The differences between China and Western countries as regards ideologies and values will remain for a long time. Taking Sino-European cultural exchanges as an example, alongside increasingly close Sino-European economic and trade ties, people in Europe have become more interested in China. However, restricted by limited channels through which to learn about China – mainly Western news and media reports – Western people’s understanding of China is often one-sided and subjective. In such circumstances, it is necessary for China to enhance its external communications to help more people in the world know the real China. Facing the ideological divergences with Western countries, it is of great importance to enhance dialogue and discussion, so as to positively resolve any misunderstanding or prejudice.

At present, China has built more than 400 Confucius Institutes. By 2020 the number of overseas cultural centers will reach 50. These organizations may be used to host a wide range of activities with overseas cultural organizations, including theme year seminars, exhibitions, and concerts. Theme years would help Chinese people to strengthen their understanding of their own culture and imbue cultural confidence, and enhance overseas public education in terms of Chinese traditional culture, so helping the world to better understand China.

Architectural design contains national cultural elements, as a tangible cultural carrier and permanent symbol. As buildings become landmarks in a city, their influence increases and endures. After years of study and practice, younger generations of Chinese architects have established themselves in the global arena. Such famous architects as Wang Shu, winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, and Ma Yansong, who designed the Lucas Museum in Chicago, have inherited the essence of Chinese culture along with international perspectives. In addition, China also possesses numerous qualified designers. Yet generally speaking, Chinese architects are rarely known overseas. Compared to the success of foreign architects and designers in China, a scant number of Chinese architects have had the chance to design overseas buildings.

Li Gang is a research fellow at the Institute of European Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

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