The Center for China and Globalization (CCG) recently launched the book Chine: Comment l'Occident se fabrique des ennemis (China: How the West creates enemies for itself), written by Serge Berthier, former civil administrator in the Algerian government’s Ministry of Transport and founder of the quarterly journal Asian Affairs.
Responding to a pervasive fear and prejudice against China in the West, the book references historical materials and individual case studies to provide a comprehensive overview of China’s political system as well as its economic and social development. It also provides insights into the Chinese way of thinking, as well as the author’s perspectives on the status quo of China’s Xinjiang, Tibet, Taiwan and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
Serge Berthier pointed out at a conference held in September that long-term misconceptions and prejudice toward China come from a Western-centered discourse in Europe and America. The aim of the book is to reverse this prejudice and present a relatively real image of China.
He emphasized that communication and mutual understanding are the only way to dispel misconceptions, and referenced precedents to show how the tense relationship between France and North Africa was mitigated by building a bridge of cultural exchange, which could serve as an example for finding a way out of the current misread relationship between China and some Western countries.
Senior reporter and the Chinese translator of the book, Cui Xiaoqin, said that the book analyses the contact and communication between China and the Western world, and offers deep insights into the current situation. She encouraged young people in the West to read Chinese novels, which is helpful for understanding the Chinese society and eliminating misunderstandings.
Ding Yifan, CCG non-resident senior fellow as well as former deputy director and senior fellow of the Institute of World Development, Development Research Center of China’s State Council (DRC), elaborated that the stereotype of China in the Western world began with the Jesuits coming to China and demonstrates a dichotomy in thinking between the West and the golden mean of Confucianism in China, and these different ways of thinking have hindered mutual understanding.
He furthered that in order to compete and survive in the industry, Western media are often unable to provide objective and authentic reports on China. In this context, the publication of this book is of great value and innovative significance.
About the author
Serge Berthier previously served as a civil administrator in the Algerian government’s Ministry of Transport previously. He settled in Hong Kong SAR in 1986 where he later founded his own consulting firm. In 1997, he founded the quarterly journal Asian Affairs, focusing on providing sharp insights into geopolitics. He has visited Chinese mainland many times and retired in Hong Kong SAR as a permanent resident. His works include La Chine en marche and Vivre a Hong-Kong.
Author | Lydia Liu
Correspondent | Center for China and Globalization (CCG)
Editor | Wing, Steven, Jasmine, Jerry
