The opening ceremony of the 2023 Understanding China Conference (UCC) kicks off in Guangzhou on December 2."To enhance dialogue between the US and China in this new era, it is imperative that we approach the exercise with humility, curiosity, understanding, and empathy," John L. Thornton, Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the Brookings Institution and Global Co-Chair of Asia Society, said at the opening ceremony of the conference.
Thornton referred to the recent survey conducted by Frank Luntz, an American pollster, on the attitudes of ordinary Americans toward China, US-China relations, the Chinese people, and related topics as a factual foundation. "What matters to ordinary Americans is not what you say, but what they hear. Therefore, it is critical that you use words that ordinary people would hear and that will mean something to them," he said.
For example, when asked about the term "win-win," which is a common expression frequently used by Chinese political and business leaders, it turns out that ordinary Americans dislike the term to a large extent. On the one hand, it is believed that there is always a winner and a loser in sports; there are never two winners. On the other hand, when the Chinese use the term "win-win" with the Americans, they think that the Chinese win twice.
John L. Thornton. (Photo: GDToday)
"You should use the term 'mutual benefit.' If you use it, then Americans will hear what you're saying," Thornton suggested.
He further emphasized that the survey results show that Americans see China as a responsible and active participant in the global community. When asked to list the most positive attributes to describe China, 88 percent said "hardworking," 73 percent said "strong stable economy," 70 percent said "forward-looking," 67 percent said "a great place to do business," and 50 percent said "compassionate."
Thornton stressed that American-Chinese relations have real potential. When asked how they feel about China, 79 percent were unfavorable or neutral. However, when asked how they feel about the Chinese people, 81 percent were favorable or neutral.
"The survey concluded that the strongest part of the China-US relationship, and the one that has the most potential, is the people-to-people way," he said.
Earlier in November, Thornton listened to the speech delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco and commented, "President Xi's entire speech was a reflection of him: sincere and down to earth. China is ready to be a partner and friend of the United States. He could not have been any clearer or more straightforward."
He summarized that China should direct its energies and messages to the American people in language that they will hear, with the same sincerity and belief that President Xi exhibited when talking to individual ordinary Americans at the reception before the dinner and during the dinner itself when he spoke to all the American people.
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