by Xinhua writers Wang Qibing and Ma Ruxuan
BERN, Switzerland, April 28 (Xinhua) -- China is advancing a high-quality development for the prosperity of all, Swiss scholar Beat Schneider told Xinhua in a recent interview.
In late March, Schneider, professor emeritus of Art and Design History at the Bern Academy of the Arts, delivered a lecture at the China Cultural Center in Bern. There, he shared his observations from a recent visit to Shenzhen, a southern Chinese metropolis, with Swiss friends and members of the Chinese community in Switzerland, highlighting the achievements of contemporary China's high-quality development.
Having closely followed China's development since 1986 and visited many Chinese cities over the years, Schneider said that he had long been fascinated by China's 5,000-year history, which he explored in his early lectures and writings. Over time, he came to recognize that China's image in the West was frequently distorted by misinformation, prompting him to write his first book to present a more accurate portrayal.
That book, titled "China's Long March into Modernity: Twenty Non-Eurocentric Theses," was published in 2022. "As my understanding of China deepens, my understanding of Chinese reality also becomes more profound," said Schneider.
From a cultural studies perspective, Schneider emphasized that China's achievement in lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty and achieving a moderately prosperous society represents a form of culture in itself.
Schneider considers China's five-year plans to be highly significant, noting that they are implemented effectively. "It is a truly binding roadmap for development," he said.
He highlighted that the 15th Five-Year Plan is "a deepening of China's high-quality development, especially in terms of green transformation." For example, he noted, the target of a total reduction of 17 percent in carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP between 2026 and 2030 represents a significant step forward with global benefits.
"Despite numerous challenges, China is leading the global green transition. This is undoubtedly a major development for such a vast country, benefiting the world," he said. ■