By Jamile Barreto
Board Member and Member for Ethnic and Racial Equality of Associação Brasileira de Imprensa – ABI, Brazil
The China I’ve come to know isn’t through firsthand experience, but through what makes its way across borders: headlines, films, books, images, and age-old traditions that have long captured the world’s imagination. Watching China from the West feels a bit like trying to make sense of a moving mosaic — a country racing ahead in technology while still deeply rooted in centuries of heritage. It feels distant, yet somehow more present in our lives than ever.
In 2024, China’s economy grew by 5%, bringing its GDP to around US$18.94 trillion, according to the country’s National Bureau of Statistics. This growth was powered by bold investments in advanced tech, electric vehicles, and clean energy — the core of the “Made in China 2025” strategy. Even with trade tensions and global friction, China positioned itself as a leader in lithium battery production, solar energy, and sustainable transportation.
That same energy is visible in its cities. Back in 1949, just 10% of the population lived in urban areas — by 2023, it was over 66%. Places like Shenzhen, once rural villages, are now global hubs of innovation. And yet, tradition is still part of the landscape: temples stand side-by-side with glass towers, and at sunrise, you’ll still find people practicing tai chi in city parks.
China’s transformation — from a mainly rural country in the 1970s to a tech giant — didn’t happen by accident. It was the result of long-term planning and government vision. After 1976, Deng Xiaoping led a massive push to modernize the country. One of the top priorities was rebuilding the education system, which had been left in ruins. In 1986, the government passed a law guaranteeing nine years of free schooling — six years of primary and three of middle school — opening doors for a whole generation and laying the groundwork for the country’s evolution.
Since then, education has remained central. By 2023, China had more than 3,000 universities and colleges, training millions in engineering, science, and innovation. Institutions like Tsinghua and Peking University now rank among the best globally, according to the QS rankings.
Developing talent has become a national mission. China has expanded research programs, launched academic exchange initiatives, and formed global partnerships. It now sends more students abroad than any other country — over 700,000 each year — and ranks among the top producers of scientific publications, according to the Nature Index. Knowledge isn’t just a personal achievement anymore; it’s seen as key to the country’s future.
This shift helped China evolve beyond being “the world’s factory.” Today, it’s also a leader in fields like AI, quantum computing, biotech, and clean tech. That rise didn’t happen by luck — it was built on a strong commitment to education as the foundation for national progress.
Still, the country faces new challenges. Its aging population and low birth rates are reshaping its social and economic landscape. The UN projects that by 2040, nearly 28% of the population will be over 60. To prepare, China is investing in robotics, AI, and innovative elder care systems for a society that’s living longer and changing fast.
Culturally, the balance between old and new continues. Respect for elders, tea rituals, ideograms, and the philosophy of yin and yang aren’t just traditions — they’re part of daily life, preserving an identity that’s both ancient and evolving.
But from a distance, it’s easy to see China through simplified lenses. In the West, it’s often painted as either a threat or a marvel, ignoring the complex reality of a nation with 1.4 billion people, each with their own story. We rarely hear about its internal debates, regional differences, or social challenges.
To truly understand China, we need more than information — we need curiosity, openness, and the humility to question our assumptions. It’s less about having the answers and more about asking better questions. Because beyond the headlines, China is not just an economic power — it’s a living civilization, constantly adapting and redefining itself.
Watching China from afar is a lesson in humility. And in a noisy, divided world, maybe the most powerful thing we can do is try to understand — even if we never fully will. Because building bridges, even symbolic ones, remains one of the most human acts we can choose.
*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.