If you’ve studied Chinese history, you’ll know there are recurring cycles of China looking outward and then looking inward. We’ve just seen several years of the Belt and Road initiative, a China-proposed initiative that aims to boost connectivity along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes, where China looked outward. Now that many of those goals have been accomplished, China may start looking inward again, for the unity, safety and protection of everyone from the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Xi Jinping has announced a focus on developing hi-tech. This reminds me of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), a time when the world looked to China for trade, fashion, culture and technology. Did you know China had the world’s most advanced pottery and ceramics ingenuity at that time? Also, the manmade irrigation systems from that dynasty, and before, are still considered engineering marvels today. So as China excels in hi-tech over the next few years, I believe the cultural influence will follow, just as it did then.
As a foreigner who has resided in China for many years, I am thankful for the open dialogue and the many platforms for others and myself to exchange ideas. One year, the Shanghai Municipal Government invited me to serve on a panel of foreigners who had ideas to improve the city. We were each given the opportunity to make a speech. These types of exchanges can only benefit the Sino-American relationship as we continue to navigate uncharted waters together.
Many people say the U.S. and China are like brothers. I have brothers and know all too well how we don’t always get along or see eye to eye. But at the end of the day, “blood is thicker than water,” and a family’s love is more important than any differences. We are going to make it—the U.S. and China. Our brotherhood will stand the test of time, and the alliance will once again be strong.
The author is an American TV host who has lived in China for 17 years and the founder of HaiPointe Culture Company in Shanghai
Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon
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