As 2026 marks the first year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, the country once again emphasizes an important diplomatic vision: striving to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
At a time when wars and geopolitical tensions continue to unfold in different parts of the world, the idea raises an important question: Why does this vision matter today?
In this episode of Nick and His Friends, Nick meets Michael Crook, Chairman of the International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives. Crook's life story reflects a unique historical connection between China and the wider world.
Michael Crook was born and raised in China and comes from a family deeply connected to the country's modern history. His father, David Crook, was a British educator and revolutionary who first came to China in the late 1930s during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. His mother, Isabel Crook, a Canadian anthropologist and educator, arrived in China around the same time and became involved in rural education and social research.
The two later settled in Beijing, where they taught for decades at what is now Beijing Foreign Studies University, helping train generations of Chinese students in foreign languages and international communication.
Growing up in this environment, Michael Crook witnessed China's transformation over several decades. Influenced by his parents' dedication to cross-cultural understanding, he has continued working to promote dialogue and cooperation between China and the rest of the world.
During the conversation, Crook shares his perspective on the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, noting that the key word is "shared."
According to Crook, the idea emphasizes that countries should work together to address global challenges rather than compete in ways that lead to confrontation or conflict. He points to a number of international platforms and initiatives in which China has played a leading role, including the Belt and Road Initiative, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. In his view, these frameworks aim to encourage cooperation and shared development.
Crook also reflects on a historical concept closely associated with China's wartime industrial cooperatives: "Gung Ho" (工合). The phrase literally means "work together." During the 1930s and 1940s, the Chinese Industrial Cooperatives movement promoted grassroots cooperation to support production and economic resilience during difficult times. Cooperation, he explains, is fundamentally about people working together toward a common goal.
Using a simple analogy, Crook compares international disputes to two people fighting on the street. One approach is to escalate the conflict by adding more weapons or taking sides. Another is to encourage dialogue and find a peaceful way to resolve the disagreement.
He points out that China has increasingly taken part in efforts to mediate international conflicts and promote dialogue. While these efforts are still evolving, Crook believes that China—and other peace-loving nations—can play a constructive role in encouraging negotiation and reducing tensions.
For Crook, the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind ultimately reflects a simple but powerful belief: in an interconnected world, the future of nations is increasingly linked. And choosing cooperation over confrontation may be one of the most important decisions mankind faces today.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Video: Guo Hongda
Poster: Li Fangwang
