By Luciana Bigliante
Director of Asociación de la prensa Uruguaya, Uruguay
China has fascinated me for years. I’ve read, researched, watched documentaries and interviews, even wandered its streets virtually through interactive maps and travelers’ videos.
Yet the more I learn about its history, culture, and technological present, the clearer it becomes: some things can only be understood by being there. China isn’t just explained—it’s lived. And though I’ve yet to set foot there, I already feel the weight (and magnetism) of its contrasts.
From what I’ve studied and observed through various sources, navigating its cities must be like walking between two timelines: a past that endures and a future that advances relentlessly. Everything suggests that in China, modernity hasn’t displaced tradition—instead, the two coexist, intertwine, and shape an identity in constant transformation.
One of the most striking aspects is its efficiency. For a nation of over 1.4 billion people to function, organization isn’t optional. Technology is seamlessly woven into daily life: digital payments, artificial intelligence, service robots, and automation. By many accounts, cash is already a relic. This is urban life deeply connected, almost futuristic—yet never losing sight of human dimension.
What stunned me most was the collective discipline. On high-speed trains (covering vast distances in hours), there are no loud shouts, phone calls, or chaos. Harmony seems central to public life.
Of course, some aspects raise questions. The language barrier, cultural differences, the digital firewall (with many global apps blocked), and stringent state controls are attention-grabbing challenges. Surveillance cameras, frequent checks, and a hyper-organized social structure spark as much unease as admiration.
Yet what visitors emphasize most is the human warmth—reserved at first, but undeniably present. Respect, curiosity toward foreigners, and sincere attempts to bridge language gaps recur in countless stories.
From afar, China emerges as more than a country: it’s a cultural, sensory, and political experience that defies Western frameworks. A land where Buddhist temples and AI algorithms share the same skyline.
I haven’t yet walked its streets, but everything I’ve learned tells me this: in China, past and future don’t clash—they move forward together. And they move fast.
*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.