by Xinhua writer Liu Yanan
NEW YORK, March 23 (Xinhua) -- For Americans who can't visit China themselves, reading about the experiences of fellow citizens who have come to China is the next best thing to understand the country, an American scholar has said.
William Brown, a professor at the School of Management at Xiamen University, launched his book "West Meets East: Stories of Americans in China" in New York on Saturday. The book features 20 true stories of Americans in China spanning two centuries.
In an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the event, Brown, who has lived and worked in southeast China's Xiamen for over 30 years, underscored misunderstandings about China among some Americans.
"We are so afraid of China and blind. We don't know anything about China and we have these stereotypes of China. Many people look at China today like I did in the 1970s," he said.
"When you see how Americans in China love China, support China, and come to know China ... there must be something good," said Brown, who moved to Xiamen with his family in 1988.
Brown voiced hope that his book will help Americans gain a deeper, more holistic understanding of China, encouraging them to look beyond Western media narratives.
"I want Americans to understand that we've had a strong relationship with China overall ... People are very similar, very hardworking people," he said.
"The best way for them to see that is to come to China, but most people can't," he said. "If they can read stories of Americans in China, I think that can interest them. And maybe once they're really interested in China, then they will come. So this, I hope, is like a first step."
Stressing the historical importance of the U.S.-China relationship, Brown said the two countries need to cooperate for the world's survival.
Brown expressed hope that Americans could open their minds to the idea of being "alike but different."
"Although Americans and Chinese differ somewhat in how we pursue our dreams, the dreams are essentially the same: a better life for our family and descendants, security and peace," he said in the preface of the book.
For over 30 years, Brown has encouraged Americans to study Chinese and engage in people-to-people exchanges.
"I encourage everybody to come to China. No matter where you go, learn Chinese and then see for yourself what it is," he said. "Almost every time, once Americans came to study Chinese, after just a few weeks, a few months, they loved it."
Through extensive travels throughout China, Brown has dedicated years to collecting and documenting the stories of 19th- and 20th-century Americans who lived and worked in the country.
Brown said he visited and interviewed people featured in the book and talked with the second and third generations of some historical figures.
Published by Amplify Publishing Group, the book chronicles the real-life experiences of ordinary Americans -- teachers, doctors, diplomats, pilots, and families -- who have forged lasting bonds with China. ■
