Experts on China talk about ‘new era’ in their eyes

Vision China, a series of talk shows organized by China Daily, kicked off on Monday at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE).

Themed on “new era through my eyes,” the first show featured Robert Kuhn, a US expert on China, China Daily writer Andrew Moody, and senior Chinese TV host Liu Xin talking about China’s new era – a term repeatedly brought up by CPC Central Committee General Secretary Xi Jinping during the 19th CPC National Congress.

Kuhn said that he has been most impressed by China’s can-do spirit over the past 30 years. He expects China’s new era to be full of changes and opportunities, as well as challenges and rising public expectations, and said that it would mark the time when the nation would become more people-oriented and with a strong CPC leadership strive for national rejuvenation.

He added that China would not excessively pursue double-digit growth, but would prioritize the environment as its economy develops. The nation is also expected to continue its opening up and sharing gesture to the world.

Specifically, Kuhn estimated that China would become more proactive in a chaotic and suspicious world.

“China’s entering into a new era could be a momentous turning point in world history,” Moody said. “China’s new era is a new and confident China striding forward into a world that it itself would play a large part in shaping.”

The new era could prove the validity and rationality of China’s development path, showing its confidence in its path, theories, institutions, and culture, Liu said.

The talk show saw a warm-welcoming crowd of over 500 people, packing the UIBE lecture hall. Not only were UIBE students presented at the show, but other leading universities, including Tsinghua University and Peking University, also sent their best to actively participate in the Q&A session and to express their concerns and expectations on the nation’s development.

Several students reached by People’s Daily Online said they would like to be involved in more similar courses and lectures to help them get a better understanding of a changing nation.

“It’s a meaningful way to help college students better understand China and the world in the new era,” UIBE Party Chief Jiang Qingzhe said during a group interview with media.