Ruan Zongze Interview: Conversations with History; Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

Photo by Jane Scherr

Page 5 of 5

Conclusion

What do you think is the most important point that you would like citizens of the United States to understand about changes in China and China's foreign policy?

Well, there is a saying: "If you want to understand China, love China."

Explain that for me.

I don't know if I can explain it accurately or not. But my understanding is that ... Well, from my personal experience, I've had a strong interest in studying U.S. foreign policy for more than a dozen years, actually, fifteen years. On my first visits to the United States, it gave me a sort of a sort of puzzle. On one hand, the United States has a very developed economy, high tech and so on, many things which are the envy of other countries. On the other hand, sometimes the United States' policies, particularly to other countries, are so American-centric. They do not pay enough attention to other countries -- their concerns, their interests, or even their way to protect their legitimate interests. So I have a very strong interest in studying American foreign policy in the past fifteen years, but still, I have a lot of homework to do. But if I really want to understand America, I [must] love America.

So what you're saying -- I'm trying to draw this out of you -- is that at one level you have to put yourself in the other's shoes, to see the world as they see it, so that you can then move out of those shoes and deal intelligently with that country -- in your case the United States; in our case, China.

My impression, when I've visited the States a couple of times already, a strong idea in my mind is that China and the United States must work together, we must accommodate each other. In order to do that, sometimes, you must put your feet in the other's shoes. To exchange the role. Like us, if we can change the role of it, so we can think or we can look at the other side from a different perspective. That's what I want to say.

One final question requiring a brief answer. How would you advise students to prepare for the future, both in terms of international relations and in terms of China - American relations?

I don't know if it is advice or not, but from my very limited personal experience, I think it will be advisable to have a lot of contacts with the country or area in which you are really interested. Like the culture, get familiar with the culture and the language. All of these will be conducive to your understanding of their international politics.

Mr. Ruan Zongze, on that note, I want to thank you very much for coming here today, visiting the campus and sharing your views on U.S.-China relations. Thank you very much.

My pleasure.

And thank you very much for joining us for this Conversation with History.

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