By Predrag Rava
Journalist of UNS Online, Serbia
I had the opportunity to complement my fascination with China by visiting the cities of Nanchang, Jingdezhen, and Ganzhou, which are true guardians of ancient Chinese culture. There, the spirit of tradition remains strong, while at the same time one feels the incredible technological progress that makes modern China one of the world’s leading economic powers.
In order to overcome the many prejudices still present in society, and to gain a more complete understanding of contemporary developments in China, it is essential to become familiar with its rich history and culture. We are speaking of a civilization around five thousand years old, which has shaped a specific system of education, upbringing, religious, ethical, and ideological values in Chinese society.
Geographically, the majority of the Chinese population historically settled between the Huang He (Yellow River) and the Yangtze, in the region of classical China. Although, for instance, Nanchang is not directly connected to the Yellow River but lies on the Gan River, it, along with the cities of Jingdezhen and Ganzhou, forms part of the historic region of ancient China, whose cultural and strategic significance was immense. Nanchang was an important military and political center, Jingdezhen became world-famous for its porcelain production, while Ganzhou played a key role in the trade and military routes of the Song dynasty and served as one of the gateways to the Silk Road.
For centuries, China organized social life through public works that regulated river flows and ensured irrigation, creating a deeply rooted sense of solidarity and collectivism. As early as the 19th century, Karl Marx and Max Weber noted the uniqueness of the Chinese social model—from the absence of private property to a bureaucracy open to anyone who demonstrated capability and knowledge. Serbian sociologist Milan Tripković also emphasized that leading roles in Chinese society were not acquired by birthright but through education, ability, and results.
In contrast to Western liberal individualism, China nurtured a culture of community. This collectivism manifested not only through the system but also in everyday customs and moral norms, which are still present today, especially in family and community relationships. As Viren Murti pointed out, China has historically rejected “Western” liberal individualism and imperialism more than capitalism, contrary to common assumptions.
This worldview is also reflected in the Belt and Road Initiative—a project that goes beyond economic cooperation and becomes a global platform for cultural exchange. The modern Silk Road is no longer merely a trade route but an idea of connecting peoples through infrastructure, education, art, and—media.
This is why media have become key actors in this initiative. They are building new bridges between cultures. During President Xi Jinping’s visit to Serbia, numerous agreements were signed in the field of media, confirming the importance of information and communication in modern diplomacy.
While the West often focuses solely on finance and geopolitics, culture and mutual understanding remain the foundation of any long-term cooperation. A good example of this is the personal experience of Serbs who live and work in China.
Nanchang: A Blend of Culture and Hospitality
During my stay in Nanchang, I enjoyed excellent hotels and outstanding cuisine, while the organizers showed remarkable kindness and professionalism. The evening was spent admiring the beautiful night view of the Ganjiang River, known for its “Dual Shores,” one of the city’s iconic sights. Experience in Nanchang truly reflects the vibrancy and tradition of this city.
Report from Jingdezhen: In the Heart of China’s Porcelain
Jingdezhen, the Chinese city world-famous for its porcelain production, revealed to me today how tradition and contemporary design go hand in hand
I started my visit at the Taoyangli Imperial Kiln Scenic Area, where the Jingdezhen Royal Kiln Museum is located. This museum preserves masterpieces of imperial porcelain and showcases the complex techniques that for centuries adorned ceramics for China’s royal courts. An especially interesting stop was the Xujia Kiln, an old kiln that demonstrates traditional porcelain-making methods. In Taoyuan Valley – Sanbao and Taoyuangu, I met local artists and craftsmen who still create porcelain by hand, preserving the skills that make Jingdezhen so unique. After a short break, I returned to the Imperial Kiln Scenic Area to learn more about the productive protection model for handmade porcelain, which combines heritage preservation with modern business.
In the afternoon, I visited Shiziyuan Cultural Park and Hanxi Village, places rich in cultural heritage. The Art Field: Jingdezhen complex made a special impression on me, as it blends traditional ceramics with contemporary art. My tour of Mingfang Park introduced me to the concept of modern porcelain used as national gifts, highlighting how Jingdezhen still plays an important role in China’s cultural diplomacy. The day concluded with a hands-on workshop at the Mingfang Park North Factory, where I got the chance to try my own skills at shaping porcelain—a memorable experience that perfectly captures the city’s spirit of craftsmanship and tradition.
Jingdezhen leaves the impression of a city proud of its past yet boldly looking toward the future.
Life in China Firsthand
To gain a more realistic insight into everyday life, I spoke with another Serbian who have been living and working in China for many years.
“China has indeed implemented so-called ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics,’ which means a mix of market reforms and state control. The success of this model can be attributed to gradual reforms, a large domestic market that enables economies of scale, strong state support for strategic industries, and a pragmatic approach combining market economics with state planning.”
When asked about the specificities of China’s development and how it managed to modernize without losing its identity, I was told:
,,In recent decades, Chinese universities have made significant progress, and some leading institutions such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Fudan University are now regularly ranked among the world’s top 100 universities”.
I was also curious about how Chinese people view Serbia. The answer was clear:
“The perception in Serbia of friendly relations with China is generally accurate. China values Serbia as an important partner in the Southeast European region, especially in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. However, the average Chinese citizen probably doesn’t know many details about Serbia, though some older people might recognize Yugoslavia and Tito. Those familiar with Serbia often view it positively, particularly because of historical ties and shared positions on certain international issues. Nonetheless, relations between the two countries are primarily based on pragmatic interests.”
Despite cultural differences, one thing my interlocutors highly value about the Chinese is:
“Hard work, diligence, discipline.”
Although many Serbs have traveled to China over the past decade, few truly know the details of daily life, the challenges, and the unique aspects of this vast country. Another interviewee emphasized that Chinese people, especially younger generations, now know quite a lot about Serbia—mostly through sports figures like Novak Đoković and Nikola Jokić, as well as through increasingly visible media reports about agreements and investments between the two countries. Older generations, however, still mostly remember Yugoslavia and the legendary film “Walter Defends Sarajevo.”
“I’ve been living in China for eight years and working in education. I’ve taught from kindergarten to the last year of high school. I’m currently teaching in a middle school. I am the head of the social sciences department, which includes economics, business, history, and geography. I’ve lived in several provinces: Liaoning, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangsu, the city of Tianjin, and currently in Sichuan Province.”
Food is a special topic. My interlocutor emphasizes that Chinese cuisine is quite different from what we know in Chinese restaurants in Serbia. The dishes are often spicy and vary from province to province. While people in the south prefer spicy flavors, those in the north lean more toward sweet tastes.
“One thing we could adopt from them is healthy habits like morning exercises outdoors and evening walks, especially among the elderly. Retired women dance in public squares and simply enjoy every moment, whether playing badminton or practicing Tai Chi. We are most similar in our hospitality. No matter how much English is a challenge for them, they’ll gladly invite you for dinner and social gatherings.”
It is indeed true that “China is the safest country in the world, with virtually no crime.”
This sense of safety is something Serbs often cite as a particularly pleasant aspect of life in China. However, there is also massive state control throughout society, including through technological solutions that many find practical but also somewhat intrusive.
“Technology is developed to the extent that almost no one uses cash anymore, and everything is paid for via QR codes. There are no newspapers anymore because people read news online. The metro system in all major cities is excellent. Everything is interconnected, so bureaucracy is more tolerable. Your ID card alone is sufficient everywhere—there’s no need for health booklets or excessive paperwork, for example.”
My interviewee highlights how deeply Chinese people, despite modernization, remain attached to family values.
“From Confucianism comes a deeply rooted belief in filial piety—respecting one’s parents. The oldest family members are respected, and you should never offend them because their experience and wisdom are considered invaluable. This moral belief is shared across the entire country, despite cultural differences among provinces. This is especially evident during Chinese New Year, when everyone travels home no matter how far they work. They eat special dishes, wait for New Year’s Eve, and give children red envelopes. In those moments, you can see how connected they are and how warm they are as a people, even though they work very hard all year.”
“I have never met a nation that works harder! Yet, when the holidays come, everything stops so that everyone can be with their family.”
Media in the Modern Silk Road
Serbia and China have nurtured a friendship spanning decades, and in recent years this friendship has gained media and cultural dimensions. Serbia has recently opened the first Chinese Cultural Center in the Western Balkans, has had a Confucius Institute for some time, and we also have the Belt and Road Institute. We celebrate the Chinese New Year and, above all, maintain a tradition of good relations with China. I believe that this kind of cultural cooperation has also contributed to the economic collaboration between Serbia and China, in which we lead in this part of Europe. The volume of bilateral trade has increased by almost 32 percent compared to the previous year, and China remains Serbia’s second-largest trading partner. Serbia was one of the 28 founding countries of the global Belt and Road initiative in 2017, launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013.
Serbs living in China confirm through their experiences what academic analyses and historical interpretations only hint at—that China is not just a global power in economic terms but a cultural civilization seeking new paths of understanding with the world.
In this process, media become a crucial tool: they can break down prejudices, portray real life, and bring people closer together. Media exchange becomes a bridge through which not only information but also trust travels.
Therefore, the modern Silk Road is essentially a road of ideas, education, art, media—a road leading toward better understanding of the world we live in.
Ultimately, cooperation with China is not merely an economic matter. It is a matter of culture, mutual understanding, and shared values. Without these, no railway, road, or bridge will have true meaning. Our common future depends on economic growth and development, but also on cultural connection, for which building trust is essential. The role of the media as a dominant agent of socialization is crucial in this endeavor.
*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.