French sinologist Marianne Dunlop, a professor at the Confucius Institute of Artois, asserts that China now engages with the world from a position of confidence – 'neither inferior nor superior' – in a recent interview with CGTN. Her analysis comes amid growing global discussions about multipolar governance and China's evolving diplomatic philosophy.
From Cultural Curiosity to Confident Engagement
Reflecting on her 1978-1980 experiences as one of the first Western students in post-reform China, Dunlop notes dramatic changes in public interactions: 'Where crowds once gathered around foreigners as curiosities, today's China engages as equals.' She attributes this shift to decades of development fostering national self-assurance.
Philosophical Foundations of Diplomacy
Dunlop contrasts Western 'civilizing missions' with China's historical approach: 'Chinese civilization never sought to forcibly export its worldview through conquest or colonization.' This distinction, she argues, informs Beijing's current multilateral diplomacy emphasizing mutual benefit.
France's Pivotal Role in Multipolar Transition
The scholar's new book When France Wakes Up to China examines Western anxieties about shifting global power dynamics. While acknowledging concerns about 'decline,' Dunlop champions China's Global Governance Initiative as framework for equitable international relations: 'Harmonious multipolarity benefits all except those clinging to outdated hierarchies.'
Reviving Historic France-China Ties
Highlighting France's 1964 diplomatic breakthrough with China, Dunlop urges renewed Paris-Beijing cooperation: 'France possesses cultural and historical assets to bridge East-West understanding, provided it resists external pressures undermining strategic autonomy.' Her vision aligns with China's characterization of bilateral relations as 'special friends and win-win partners.'
