I noticed my understanding of Chinese wisdom is only a small fraction of what it all encompasses. I studied in China from 1980-1987 and served as diplomate from 2010 to 2016. Although I lived in China for 13 years, having deep penetration into all segments of Chinese society, having fewer language barrier or cultural barriers and enjoying a warm welcoming among intellectuals, academicians, scholars, scientists, the business community, politicians, artists, government officials, and common citizens in fact it was still not enough. Chinese culture is so rich, spread over several thousands of years, and widely diversified, that no one foreigner can claim to be a master of Chinese understanding completely. 

China is blessed with philosophers like Laozi, Confucius (Kongzi), Mencius (Mengzi) and others, who got recognition world-wide because of their profound ideas that are still regarded to be valid and effective even in this high-tech age involving 5G telecommunications, quantum computing, photon technology, bullet trains, nano technology as well as nuclear technology and more.

Traditional culture, manners, and values are rather rich and unique in nature. Although, after the launch of reforms and opening-up policies since 1978, Chinese people have had extensive interaction with the Western World, they have not deviated from their own traditions and values in personal life. They have opted for Western Technologies, management skills, and economic policies, but in aspects such as their lifestyle including things like food habits, family ties, loyalty with country as well as nation and more are all still in practice per traditional values. One can see the beautiful combination of Western medicines and Chinese Traditional Medicines in the health care sector.

The thing which I like the most about Chinese is that they are always positive, and always happy. They are not in the mood of boasting and are always humble. It is in their nature to be hard-working, and in fact persistent hard work and uninterrupted hard work has resulted in China already becoing the second-largest economy and geopolitical power, within the short time of only 4 decades, a short span of time as compared to the rest of world who took centuries to achieve such progress. Of course, the credits go to the visionary leadership of China, the leaders of which have united the nation, provided the right policies at the right time and assisted to maintain stability and peace in the society. The government's role was to provide an enabling environment where people can work hard with confidence and dedication, to boost the socio-economic development of the nation.

What Chinese people believe is doing more and saying less, unlike some of the nations who always boast and project themselves to be very high. Chinese are more conservative and less talkative, especially in the aspect of showing-off. In spite of this, their way of expressing love for their fiancé is also different. They do not express their love directly but rather let the other partner feel it directly by himself or herself.

China has surpassed other nations in many respects and has become a leader, yet at the same time they still do not claim to be number one. For instance, China is a leader in 5G telecommunication technology, China has the largest network of the high-speed railway systems, and furthermore the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is not less than the 8th miracle as it is 4500 meters above the see-level and passing through out-numbered tunnels in the mountainous area of Tibet and Qinghai. China is ahead of the world in terms of laser technology, photon technology, nano-technology, construction industry, infrastructure developments and many other aspects.

Inauguration of the new Beijing Airport in Daxing just before the 70th National Day celebration is the latest addition to Chinese achievements. It is state of art, equipped with latest technologies, smartest facilities, and the most advanced airport in the world. It will boost the Chinese travel and tourism industry as well as facilitate huge numbers of local and international travelers, ultimately boosting economic activities.

You must have watched the National Day parade held on the 1st of October in Beijing. The display of troops, from the Army, Airforce, and Navy was very impressive and the display of weapons was even more impressive. Some of the weapons, China has not revealed publically before. I am not an expert on defense and moreover, it is a sensitive issue, so I do not want to comment on anything in this aspect, but based on my understanding of the Chinese psyche, I firmly believe, China has much more than what they have displayed. No one should challenge the sovereignty of China and no one should undermine Chinese defense capabilities. No one should try to contain China or curtail China. China possesses full capabilities to face any challenge but wants “Peace, Stability and Prosperity” globally.

Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist, ex-Diplomate, Academician, Researcher, Peace-activist, Geo-analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), Islamabad, Pakistan. E-mail: [email protected])