At the invitation of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) of Germany and Czechslovak Foreign Institute (CFI) of the Czech Republic, Mme. Yan Junqi, Vice-Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Chairwoman of the Central Committee of China Association for Promoting Democracy and President of CAFIU headed a delegation to visit Germany and the Czech Republic from May 20 to 27. In Germany, Mme. Yan Junqi met with Mme. Buhlmahn, Deputy Speaker of the German Bundestag, Mr. Mutzenich, member of the German Bundestag, and President Beck of FES, and visited Heinrich-Heine-University. In the Czech Republic, Mme. Yan called on Mr. Vojtech Filip, Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament and KSCM President, and had a working discussion with CFI President Mr. Jaromir Slapota. The delegation also visited the Skoda Group. During the visit, President Yan extensively met with people from the government, parliament, business, academia and NGOs, learnt about the latest political, economic, social and cultural development of both countries, and frankly exchanged views on China-EU relations and bilateral relations, the irreplaceable role of people-to-people exchanges and other topics. The visit has further promoted the understanding and cooperation between CAFIU and other organizations, and imbued China-Germany and China-Czech friendship with new vigor. As a member of the delegation, I was impressed by the richness of the eight-day visit, with history, cooperation and culture as the highlights.

 

                        Reflect on History and Move Forward

 

With a long history and brilliant culture, Germany has left a rich chapter in the modern and contemporary world history. In the first half of the 20th century, the fiasco of Germany in the two world wars has made a long and deep impact on the country and its people. Seventy years later, although the scars of the two wars are healed, I can still feel something characteristic of the German people through the visit – they know how to reflect on history and move forward in real sense. Learning from the lessons in history, they are ready to move towards the future, make explorations and innovation, and seek more progress in political, economic and social development.

 

As Mme. Buhlmahn mentioned, due to the memory of the World War II, the German people value environmental protection and sustainable development, and entertain an inborn distrust towards nuclear power. After the serious discussions among an entire generation, the Bundestag finally approved a bill a couple of years ago, announcing that Germany would comprehensively ban the use of nuclear power by 2022, increase the use of renewable energy and raise the efficiency of energy. So Germany becomes the first major industrial country that bans the use of nuclear power through legislation. This decision is based on its consideration for realistic interests, as well as reflection on historical lessons. Encouraged by this decision, in the future, Germany will exert more efforts in the R&D of wind energy, solar energy, bio energy and other renewable energy as well as technologies for environmental protection.

 

          Keep Up with the Times and Promote Cooperation

 

During our visit in Nordrhein-Westfalen of Germany, Dr. Mense, the Secretary of State introduced to us the transformation of the State. Coal mining and iron and steel production are the traditional strong industries in Nordrhein-Westfalen. Covering over ten cities, the Ruhr industrial area in the State used to be famous in Europe back in the 1950s. Later on, the State embarked on the path of economic transformation, introduced considerable technological achievement for industrial restructuring and reform, and made effective use of renewable energy to maintain its strength in economic development. Nowadays, Nordrhein-Westfalen boasts the busiest transportation network in Europe, the largest purchase and sales market, world-renowned R&D centers, and deserves its reputation as the European economic center. Dr. Mense added that in the general trend of informationalization, digitalization and smartization, the State has encountered new challenges as well: how to encourage the relatively conservative SME businessmen to take an active part in digitalization. On the one hand, they should respect the characteristics of SMEs and their historical connection with the State; while on the other hand, they should open their mind and face the challenge of digitalization and Industrie 4.0 of Germany.

 

In the headquarters of Skoda, the delegation were shown around the Skoda Car Museum, and learnt about the 120-year rich history of the brand as well as the representative products of each stage, such as bicycles and motorcycles at the very beginning, vintage cars in the early 20th century, luxury cars and racing cars after World War I, as well as economical cars after World War II. The museum shows the development history of Skoda, and reflects the vicissitude of the European industry in the last century. After joining the Volkswagen group, Skoda has made remarkable progress in quality and marketing and becomes a popular brand across the world. Besides, its cooperation with Shanghai Volkswagen also sets a good example for China-Czech economic cooperation. Last year in particular, Skoda has done impressively in the Chinese automobile market. Volkswagen, Skoda and the Chinese market have already formed an interrelated community of common destiny, which is invigorated in the era of globalization.

 

    Cultural Integration and Heart-to-heart Communication

As one of the major origins of the human civilization, the Euro-Asia continent covers two-fifth of the land area in the world, as well as nine-tenth of the world’s population. The continent has vast and interconnected land area, so the various ethnic groups and civilizations on the continent have exerted enormous and continuous influence on each other. Germany and the Czech Republic are located on one end of the continent, while China on the other. Despite the thousands of miles in between, people from the two regions have a long tradition of friendly exchanges with fruitful results in cultural integration. During the visit, we also feel the unique role and significance of cultural exchanges.

As countries along the route of the “Belt and Road” initiative, Germany and the Czech Republic both attach great importance on the initiative, and expect more development opportunities for their own and the region as a whole. Meanwhile, given the differences in social systems and development levels of countries along the route, it is not easy to build an open economic zone, which calls for more efforts in cultural integration and heart-to-heart communication. Mr. Hitschler, Member of the German Bundestag said that the historical “silk road” had built a grand platform for cultural exchanges and peaceful development. He hoped that the proposed “silk road economic belt” can restore the historical connection of relevant countries, and encourage them to play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability along the route. President Beck said that people-to-people exchanges and cultural integration are mutually reinforcing. In the past three decades of cooperation between FES and CAFIU, we have made concerted efforts in promoting cultural exchanges, and have provided many opportunities for the Chinese and German people to learn about each other’s culture. It is not easy to foster the friendship, yet both sides are willing to carry it forward. With the “Belt and Road” initiative, it is hoped that both sides can strengthen communication, conduct distinctive dialogues, exchanges and cooperation, and serve as a bridge of cultural exchanges for both peoples to contribute to regional prosperity.

 

During our visit in Czech, we found much enthusiasm among local people for a Chinese film entitled Somewhere Only We Know directed by Xu Jinglei. Filming in romantic Prague, the film tells a story happening in Beijing and Prague in a nostalgic and modern way. Many Czech people are touched by the film since it offers the best of Prague, and even captures some unknown beauty of the city. The cross-border love story of the elderly generation also reflects the close ties between China and the Czech Republic at that time. At the beginning of this year, when the film was screened in China, it is warmly welcomed by the people and gave a huge push to the tourist market. To invite more Chinese tourists, the Czech Tourism Bureau opened up a new route to Chinese tourists which is related to the attractions in the film. The film offers a new opportunity for China-Czech cultural exchanges, and sets a good example for China-Czech cultural integration. Many Czech people hope that the influence of the film can go beyond the two countries and expand to other areas as well, even becomes a new business card for Prague, like what Rome Holiday means for Rome. 

 

The eight-day visit is brief, but all the delegation members feel so achieved thanks to the exchanges with people from various circles of the two countries, and we are more confident of the direction for future cooperation. I wish that the development of people-to-people exchanges will significantly push forward China-Czech relations.