Wang Huiyao:Creating a new Chinese narrative in th... / 四六文摘

Dr. Mabel Lu Miao, the Co-founder, Vice President and Secretary General of Center for China and Globalization (CCG), shares stories with a foreign guest in the halls of CCG office

By Wang Huiyao | Founder of

the Center for China and Globalization(CCG)

Yale historian and the author of The Search for Modern China Jonathan Spence once said, 'One aspect of a country's greatness is surely its capacity to attract and retain the attention of others.'

In recent years, China's voice has indeed become stronger in the international arena. However, narratives about China have often become distorted in the current complex geopolitical environment.

China's international image, on the one hand, has been sometimes colored by Western stereotypes and reporting, which has undermined the credibility of China's international discourse. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 in particular, despite China's achievements in combating the pandemic, a survey done by the Pew Research Center revealed that views of China turned sharply negative in 14 countries last year.

At the same time, Chinese voices could do more to inform the narrative surrounding the country's rise proactively. How to create a national image that is 'trustworthy, lovable and respectable'? How can China 'be open and confident, but also be modest and humble' when communicating with others in the world? These questions deserve some serious thought.

I talk about China to the World, the Center for China and Globalization's new book, discusses how to tell a real and comprehensive story about China on global stages such as the Munich Security Conference, the Paris Peace Forum and the Davos World Economic Forum.

As a non-governmental think tank, CCG has delved into telling China's story for over a decade and gradually formed a new narrative that contains three parts (stance, methodology and attitude) when 'speaking about China' to the World.

To begin with, China's new narrative stance seeks to convey the country's embrace of globalization to the World based on common values and universal issues that China shares with other nations.

The best narrative aims to create an emotional resonance between the storyteller and the audience. Telling one's own stories without listening is far from enough. A country should understand the historical and cultural context and real demands that others face.

'I talk about China to the World' is the Center for China and Globalization's new book on how to tell a real and comprehensive story about China on global stages.

Given major gaps in understanding between countries, China ought to listen and then relate what we want to say to topics and themes that resonate with the audience. We should tell China's story with reference to shared global values, the country's contribution to globalization, and its story of development and the issues it faces.

As for the new narrative methodology, one way is to speak using figures and facts to tell more about China's contribution to globalization. The other is to initiate an eclectic non-governmental narrative discourse sharing stories across the realms of policy, diplomacy, commerce, and individual experience, set in the context of Chinese culture and the logic of China's development.

Action speaks louder than words. We should engage in international mainstream forums and media and make Chinese views be heard to a wider audience. It is crucial to accept invitations from international mainstream media. We shouldn't refuse to engage just because the other side might be unfriendly or hold views difficult for us to accept. We should establish extensive exchanges and dialogue in the Chinese and foreign political, commercial and research circles to promote Track II diplomacy.

In the age of public diplomacy, everyone has a say. If one wants to be understood by a wider, younger generation, thanks to social media, one can make his or her voice heard. The public can also tell Chinese stories through different platforms. Scholars with strong expertise can often explain Chinese ideas and solutions more clearly and concisely. The two can complement each other.

Also, China should create new international exchange platforms and launch a new type of multilateral international organization, actively setting agendas to expand influence on various issues via international mainstream platforms.

Telling effective stories in the international area requires a proactive approach to shaping the topics of debate. This means keeping up with international and domestic hot issues and enhancing the influence of think tanks through multi-channel dissemination. Tell the story well, and more people in more countries will be interested in understanding the real issues.

Speaking of the narrative 'attitude,' one should be humble and confident, inclusive and position-driven with mutual respect when 'telling China's story' on the world stage. Humility does not mean self-abasement. To be tolerant isn't to lack a firm stance.

In international exchanges, conveying our ideas does not require an acerbic tone to convince others or refute arguments. Stories about China need concrete ideas and details. Effective communication is to disseminate our own ideas out into the world. The more rich and detailed the stories, the more audiences will be curious and want to listen more.

We should highlight positive issues with an emphasis on multilateral cooperation. Once these become central to public discourse, the discussion about China will be more about China's contributions and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and other countries in addressing global challenges. Perceptions of China will improve as the world gets to know the country better.

From CGTN， 2021-8-30

CCG Books

● Published by Springer

● Edited by Wang Huiyao and Alistair Michie

More Information

This book brings together leading international scholars and policy-makers to explore the challenges and dilemmas of globalization and governance in an era increasingly defined by economic crises, widespread populism, retreating internationalism, and a looming cold war between the United States and China. It provides the diversity of views on those widely concerned topics such as global governance, climate change, global health, migration, S&T revolution, financial market, and sustainable development.

● Links：

https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789811653902

● Published by Springer

● Edited by Wang Huiyao, President and Miao Lu, Vice President, Center for China and Globalization(CCG), Beijing, China

More Information

The internationalization of Chinese enterprises is one of the most notable aspects of economic globalization in the 21st century. Despite the 2008 financial crisis and weak global outbound investment, under the “go global“ initiative, Chinese outbound investment has gone from strength to strength, while also diversifying in terms of investment modalities, destinations, and industries. However, growing anti-globalization sentiment in some countries has also created new challenges for Chinese firms expanding internationally.

Drawing on nearly 3000 data samples, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods, this book presents unique insights into the features and patterns of Chinese enterprises’ globalization. The analysis provides a useful reference for enterprises that have already gone global and those that plan to. In particular, this book investigates challenges confronted by Chinese companies when doing business in foreign countries. It summarizes research covering three angles, namely: the current situation, causation analysis and corresponding solutions, and recommendations for firms, government agencies and other institutions.

This book provides a comprehensive overview to help readers to grasp the broad picture of the international expansion of Chinese enterprises. It has important reference value for enterprises to help devise foreign investment strategy, seize opportunities, and navigate challenges in the course of globalization.

● Links：

https://www.springer.com/cn/book/9789811546457

● Published by Edward Elgar

● Edited by Wang Huiyao, President and Miao Lu, Vice President, Center for China and Globalization(CCG), Beijing, China

More Information

An excellent guide for understanding the trends, challenges and opportunities facing China through globalization, this Handbook answers the pertinent questions regarding the globalization process and China’s influence on the world.

With contributions from leading experts and international researchers, each chapter covers key topics regarding China’s participation in globalization, including: China’s new role in global economic governance; outward direct investment; China’s soft power and the implications for foreign relations; global migration, diaspora and talent. An enriching range of case studies and extensive empirical research are used to explore the successes and failures of globalization in China, and to discuss the dilemmas facing decision makers in today’s globalized world. A major contribution to the field, this Handbook offers valuable insights to China’s often misunderstood globalization process.

An essential reference for academics and researchers looking for a go-to empirical resource, this Handbook provides scholars of economics, politics and East Asian studies with an exemplary selection of contemporary research on China and globalization.

● Links：

https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/handbook-on-china-and-globalization

● Published by Springer

● Authors: Wang Huiyao, President and Miao Lu, Vice President, Center for China and Globalization(CCG), Beijing, China

The first effort to address the gap regarding higher-end talent within the scholarly work on internal labor migration in China

Provides an essential overview of the major milestones in China’s talents attraction policies, as well as several recommendations to help further improve those policies

Investigates corresponding policies in Germany, Japan, and Singapore to serve as a basis for comparison

Provides a snapshot of first-hand reference material for relevant stakeholders involved in cooperation with China

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This book offers the most comprehensive, up-to-date assessment of China’s domestic and international migration. Restructuring economic development requires large numbers of educated and skilled talents, but this effort comes at a time when the size of China’s domestic workforce is shrinking. In response, both national and regional governments in China have been keen to encourage overseas Chinese talents and professionals to return to the country. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has initiated a number of policies to attract international highly-skilled talents and enhance the country’s competitiveness, and some Chinese policies have started attracting foreign talents, who are coming to the country to work, and even to stay. Since Chinese policies, mechanisms, and administration efforts to attract and retain skilled domestic or overseas talents are helping to reshape China’s economy and are significantly affecting the cooperation on migration and talent mobility, these aspects, in addition to being of scholarly and research interest, hold considerable commercial potential.

● Links：

https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789811362552#aboutBook

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