Dongfang.com · Longitudinal News Reporter Bian Yinghao, Jin Sheng, Cai Huanghao, Shen Chao
With the spread of the new crown epidemic, many foreign public opinions have been rudely attacking China. At present, how to eliminate prejudice and tell the Chinese story well has become an important task of media propaganda and even international diplomacy.
Zhao Qizheng, who once served as the director of the Foreign Propaganda Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the director of the Information Office of the State Council, and the spokesperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, also explained his views to the journalists of Dongfang.com.
"China is just chanting slogans"?
Zhao Qizheng, who served as the first director of the Pudong New Area Management Committee, can be called the "first-generation builder" of Pudong development and opening. However, at the beginning of Pudong's development and opening up, the Western media were mostly skeptical, and their general prejudice focused on "China's openness is just shouting slogans." Pudong at that time even attracted a lot of cynicism.
Amidst doubts, Kissinger, the former US Secretary of State, came to Pudong. "The first time Kissinger came, he saw a map, the second time he saw a planning model, and the third time he saw a crane." Zhao Qizheng said that when Pudong started construction, At most, 17% of the world's cranes have been gathered.
Since then, Kissinger clearly pointed out when talking about the development and opening of Pudong, "I think it is action, not a slogan." Kissinger also said many times, "Pudong is the most admirable place I've been to."
And another "Chinese story" told by Zhao Qizheng is equally interesting.
In January 1994, former US President George W. Bush visited Shanghai. During this period, Zhao Qizheng showed Bush the planning model of Pudong New Area. At that time, Zhao Qizheng held a "rare" laser pointer to demonstrate against the sand table.
"I've seen this pen. During the Gulf War, General Powell reported to me about the battle, and he used this thing." Bush Sr. told Zhao Qizheng.
Zhao Qizheng responded, "Ha, sir, it's still a bit different. Wherever Powell's laser pointer is clicked, it will be blown flat, and wherever my pen is clicked, tall buildings will be built." Old Bush smiled Laughing, nodding repeatedly. He said on the spot that if I were a few years younger, I would also invest in Pudong. "
From Kissinger to Bush Sr., from suspicion to belief, the views of the two politicians are also a microcosm of the changes in American public opinion." Many Western media only stay at the slogan level for our stories, and there are also Our own problem. "Zhao Qizheng emphasized that doing a thing well requires a slogan, but the corresponding principles, measures, and disciplines are "not one less."
To tell a story well, you need not only to understand the details, but also to cross cultural differences. , To explain the philosophy and connotation behind the details.
"The West's "containment" on us has always existed. "According to Zhao Qizheng, after the American media saw the determination and actions of Pudong development and opening up, the local "Boston Sunday Globe" published a report entitled "Should we be afraid of China?" Speed, and pointed out that China may become a "threat" to the United States in the future. After reading this report, Zhao Qizheng decided to write a letter to the newspaper’s chief executive. It roughly mentioned, "China and the United States had Is a firm friend, we fought the flames of war together. At the moment, Pudong’s development demonstrates China’s determination to develop its economy and society. As before, China never wanted to be an enemy of the United States. Learning from each other and making progress together is the way to development. "
Finally, "Boston Sunday Globe" published this letter of Zhao Qizheng in its entirety. In his opinion, this is precisely what the American media is wise about public opinion. "Although I am questioning their views, they may think , Questioning will not damage their credibility. Enough discussion can make public opinion more objective. "
" Don't ask me, ask God. "
The public opinion environment that Zhao Qizheng encountered at the time was very similar to the current "Chinese threat theory". When some Western countries advocated that the "virus originated in China" statement, as the past Press spokesperson, Zhao Qizheng will choose how to respond-
"Don't ask me, ask God. "
Zhao Qizheng explained to reporters that only science can explain this problem, and he is not an expert.In order to avoid over-interpretation, if current science cannot answer for the time being, then only "God" can answer this question.
"The United States often dances the double &39;spear&39; dance in public opinion. They are always attacking others. We used to be the double &39;shield&39; dance and have been passively defending against attacks." Zhao Qizheng believes that the current Chinese public opinion The strategy of "spear" and "shield" should be adopted. While responding to the attack, we must also take the initiative to "explain China to the world."
"The so-called dreams of some countries are selfish." Zhao Qizheng told Dongfang.com·Zongxiang News reporter, but China is different from some countries in that on the international stage, China will make "self-interested" decisions, but We will never do anything that "destroy others and benefit ourselves." "We will maintain certain rules of globalization and make due contributions to globalization, but this will not be on the basis of harming other countries. This should be done. Let the world know." At the same time, Zhao Qizheng put forward, "When others are "black" us, we should not do "self-blacking"." Zhao Qizheng believes that in the face of current public opinion, tell good stories. Only by doing good things can we confidently "explain China to the world."
