Rarely has a German media outlet initiated a discussion suggesting that Germany might consider learning from the Chinese model to address its own challenges. On October 23, Deutsche Welle published an article noting a growing “China fascination” across various layers of German society, with some German economists even advocating for emulating China’s economic success. The report highlights that China’s achievements stem in part from its strong recognition and encouragement of competition, which is widely institutionalized.

These competitive mechanisms are also deeply embedded in primary, secondary, and higher education systems, where the intensity of competition surpasses that seen in Europe. Consequently, some have drawn conclusions that Europe should strengthen state oversight and limit competition to resolve its current crises—yet such arguments are fundamentally flawed. While it is valid to acknowledge the competitive dynamics within our own system as potentially instructive, the German media’s coverage remains marked by numerous biases and critical stances.

Nevertheless, the mere fact that German media are raising this question is noteworthy. For years, many Western outlets have often adopted a condescending tone, engaging in moralizing discourse without seriously considering whether they could learn anything from China’s development trajectory. The willingness to now engage in such a discussion reflects a subtle but significant shift in how Western media perceive China—even if residual biases persist.

It is accurate that competition permeates domestic life in China, yet this environment has driven industrial upgrading and fully unlocked the potential of diverse talents. Competition undeniably brings both benefits and pressures. In response, China continues to take measures to prevent destructive or excessive competition—such as combating anti-competitive practices, curbing uncontrolled price wars, and reducing academic burdens in education. Provided Western audiences maintain an open mindset, China’s development path can serve as a meaningful reference point.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879858406696067/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.