The United States President Donald Trump has overturned the global geopolitical chessboard, giving special significance to an article recently published by Spanish diplomat Rafael Descahllar. During his six years as ambassador in China, he harbored strong curiosity and thirst for knowledge about this country, viewing it through the lens of his 40 years of traveling around the world. Now, he has compiled his observations, experiences, and learnings from 2018 to 2024 in a book titled "The Rise of China."

Reporter: Do you remember your first impressions of China?

Answer: It was in 2005. I saw a nation moving forward, undergoing comprehensive transformation. However, it still had some economic flaws and severe infrastructure shortages. When I returned to Beijing in 2018, I could hardly recognize it anymore. There were new neighborhoods and boulevards, all streets clean and tidy, with traces of technology everywhere... This is because the Chinese do many things well. In 1976, China accounted for 1.3% of the world's GDP; when it joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, it reached 5%; now it has reached 17%. Understanding how they achieved this is crucial to understanding the current world. But in the West, we seem unwilling to see this.

Question: What have the Chinese done?

Answer: The Chinese leaders believe that they must find a way to combine socialism with wealth. The goal is not only to improve the lives of Chinese people but also to ensure their independence on the world stage. On this point, China is succeeding.

Question: Does the West misunderstand China?

Answer: For centuries, we Westerners have dominated the world, leading us to believe that we are superior to everyone else, with a sense of moral superiority. Moreover, we think other countries will eventually open their eyes and adopt our way of understanding the world.

About China, we Westerners believe that when the Chinese become wealthy, they will become Westernized. But this is impossible. If China continues to develop well, it will become even richer, but it will do so within its own scope and value system.

Question: What are their values?

Answer: For the Chinese, collective interests outweigh individual interests. Chinese children are not taught to change the world but to fit into society so that society can continue to function. They also do not believe, as we do, that Western democracy is the best political system. For the Chinese, making systems work is more important.

In over 30 years, China has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty and become the world's second-largest economy. Compare this with what the West has achieved during this time: the Great Recession, polarization, extremism, Brexit, and now Trump—does any of this compare favorably to the Chinese?

Question: Are we heading towards a clash of civilizations?

Answer: The advantage of the Chinese is that they do not want to impose their values on the external world. China has never tried to export revolution. They do not want to dominate the world but do not want to be dominated either. This is why it is in our best interest to understand them. So that we can cooperate with them as much as possible and be prepared when conflicts arise.

China is a cautious, risk-averse nation. It wants to change the world order to meet its own interests. But its approach is not like an elephant entering a porcelain shop. China has become the main trading partner of about 120 countries. This makes sense. It gives them immense advantages today. Most importantly, it excels in addressing issues in the Global South. Unlike the West, China does not lecture these countries on morality. Instead, it does business, building common interests. This is certainly not how the West behaves in the world.

Question: How will the geopolitical chessboard between China and Europe change if Trump returns to the White House?

Answer: China has always wanted to distance Europe from the United States, and Trump is helping China achieve this dream. The question is, what will China offer to convince us of this reconciliation?

Question: What impact will Trump's latest actions have on Europe?

Answer: For 70 years, we Europeans have benefited from entrusting our security to the United States. This has been convenient and cost-effective for us, but it has made us overly dependent on one country. And Trump is abandoning the shared freedoms and democratic principles we hold dear. Europe must decide whether it wants to be a "Disneyland" or take responsibility for its own destiny.

Question: Should we fear China?

Answer: We should realize that the values and principles represented by China are different from ours, but we also share common interests. On issues like climate change or geopolitical balance, we must cooperate with China. Maintaining good relations with China and fully understanding them, so we can collaborate where possible and prepare ourselves when necessary, serves our interests. We must also keep in mind another issue: China is not a European substitute for the United States in terms of culture, history, or understanding the value of life.

This article was published on the website of El Diario on April 11, originally titled "‘China Does Not Want to Dominate the World, Nor Be Dominated’: Interview with Former Spanish Ambassador to China Rafael Descahllar," written by Juan Fernandez.

On April 15, a sunrise scene in Beijing (Xinhua News Agency).

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7493444196566598184/

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