Why do Western predictions about China often miss the mark? British scholar Martin Jacques dropped some truth bombs 🧨 at the 2nd World Conference on China Studies this week, arguing that the West’s inability to embrace differences is backfiring.
"China isn’t Western – never was, never will be," Jacques declared, calling out what he sees as a cultural blind spot. "The West expects everyone to follow its playbook, but that intolerance is damaging relationships – and ultimately hurting the West itself."
The comments come as global youth increasingly question traditional power dynamics. Jacques’ take? Understanding China requires ditching Western-centric lenses 🕶️ and appreciating its 5,000-year-old civilization as its own unique system.
Food for thought: With Gen Z valuing cultural diversity 🌈 more than ever, could this be a wake-up call for better cross-cultural dialogue? 🤝
