By Alvaro Mario
Director of Fepalc, Uruguay
The People’s Republic of China – commonly referred to simply as China – has always been a land of profound fascination for me, one I never imagined I would one day have the opportunity to visit. Its millennia of history, magnificent geography, and vibrant cultural landscape, rich with diverse artistic expressions, were more than enough to captivate me and draw me towards this destination.
Beyond that, other aspects of China captivated my imagination from a very young age. I distinctly recall rereading two books by Argentine authors time and again. One of the books was titled El largo camino hacia Lo-Ting (The Long Road to Lo-Ting). Coming from a family of European heritage with a strong political awareness, I frequently heard China discussed at home, which seemed to me an intriguing, mesmerizing, yet profoundly distant reality. It was during these conversations about that far-off nation that I first encountered the term “antipodes”, a discovery that unlocked a whole new world for a bookish child. Besides, the symbolic Chinese Dragon was another captivating element, and through extensive reading, I eventually encountered the profound philosophy of Yin and Yang.
As I matured, my attention turned to China’s political and social organization, its discipline, order, and cleanliness. These aspects strike me as remarkable, particularly considering the immense scale of the task of governing a nation of 1.4 billion people. In stark contrast, my own country, Uruguay, with a population of just over 3 million, has yet to fully cultivate the fundamental habits necessary for social harmony.
It is evident that China’s political system has been instrumental not only in achieving these internal developments but also in elevating the nation to global prominence. It has established a development paradigm that is distinctly different from the capitalist model prevalent worldwide.
Chinese diplomacy, characterized by its quiet and non-confrontational approach, demonstrates an alternative model of political practice. It fosters dialogue over debate, encouraging reflection on how to negotiate for multilateral benefits rather than yielding solely to dominant power blocs.
I deeply value this opportunity to visit China as a unique learning experience, especially in the field of journalism and mass communication.
I approach this experience with some anticipation but, above all, immense gratitude. I cherish this chance to work alongside you and immerse myself in Chinese culture. I look forward to sharing and applying the valuable lessons gained from this journey.
*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.