A lesson for China from the knights in armor

Apart from gaining acceptance by adapting Western practices, China can also learn an important lesson from Britain in how to spread its messages on the global stage in a peaceful and welcomed way.

"The English have promoted (their) values, and people like those values. People don't have to wear a suit, a tie and white shirt, but people do because that's quite a comfortable and attractive costume, flexible and convenient."

Extending this shirt-and-tie analogy to China, Young believes the Chinese traditional values of diligence, accepting long-term obligations for one's behavior and humility for one's achievement are key values China can promote abroad.

Such values will benefit the world, and acceptance of these values internationally will help China gain respect as a country. And the best way to spread these values is through the Chinese migrants.

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Young says Britain is a natural ally for China in its endeavor to build soft power abroad. Helping China in this endeavor will be a great opportunity of economic and political development for Britain.

This is because China is set to become a global superpower, and its global influence will help Britain improve its international status as a trusted partner.

"Britain in the 19th century was a dominant world economy for its economic and military power. In the 20th century it was an important military power through its partnership with the US. In the next 100 years it could become more powerful than its economic and military power entitles it to be, by being a constructive partner that is uniquely valued by China."

The process of China-UK bonding is easy to achieve, as Britain and other English speaking countries are already the favored destinations for Chinese migrants, students and tourists, Young says.

Apart from learning lessons from each other, Britain can also use its power in international institutions to give China a stronger voice.

"It's absurd that the G7 doesn't include China, and China has limited voting power in the International Monetary Fund. Currently the US tries to play a game of going with international trade, because it is engaged in long-term negotiations with the EU about a free trade agreement. This is damaging for the global economy, and China actually doesn't have a say."

But Britain has a voice, and if it uses this to help China deliver its message, then it can open doors for China, and help Britain, he says.

Sadly, Britain does not see this opportunity because its understanding of China is still limited. Just like Chinese tourists' limited understanding of the stories behind those London landmarks, the British do not understand the stories about China, he says.

But Young feels confident this will change in the foreseeable future as mutual understanding of one another grows, and Britain's culture of readily accepting foreign cultures and practices makes this move much more promising. "Of all nations in the world, they're the ones most likely to learn."

Wang Shiyu contributed to this story.

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