China should project itself as having an Asian identity in the global context in order to relieve the Western world’s growing anxieties over its rise, wrote Wang Zhengxu and Jin Meilai, both research staff at Fudan University’s School of International Relations and Public Affairs, in an opinion piece for
Beijing Cultural Review.
China’s proactive efforts to export its stories have effectively led to a stronger understanding by Western countries. But overemphasis on a China identity may estrange neighboring countries and trigger a protective stance, the article said. On the contrary, the scholar added, many smaller Asian countries like South Korea and Singapore are well-adapted to the use of an Asian concept in their attempt to gain a share of the global discourse power.
An Asian identity and further integration into the East Asian neighborhood will allow China to gain a broader strategic view for problem solving, the article suggested.
The article particularly called for a shared East Asian identity among China, Japan and South Korea. Construction of the identity, it suggested, will require a political resolve, in terms of the design of more regional exchange and cooperation schemes, and educational endeavors, such as the teaching of Asia-identified history and culture lessons. It’s also necessary to reshape public perceptions through co-hosted cultural and sports events, the article said.
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