French entrepreneur defends Chinese modernization

French entrepreneur Arnaud Bertrand defended the Chinese system and the Chinese path to modernization, receiving positive responses during an online debate comparing Chinese and western systems of governance.

The debate was titled "Is the Chinese System Better than the American System" and was organized by American nonprofit educational organization the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, on April 5.

The Frenchman said the Chinese model "plays uniquely to China" and is a product of the country's very long and unique history. "It also fits the very particular context that China is in today. But it doesn't fit or pretend to fit other countries." 

Bertrand pointed to China's war on poverty that resulted in the largest and fastest reduction of poverty in the world and provided personal freedom for many as a result.

The amount China spent dedicated to lifting people out of poverty roughly equals the amount the US spent on wars in the Middle East and Afghanistan over the past 20 years, Bertrand said.

This is quite illustrative of the different priorities of the two nations and how they impact prosperity, he added.

Bertrand also pointed to a 13-year study by Harvard University, which showed with 93 percent of Chinese are satisfied with the government. In contrast, in the US the trust in government is 20 percent and in France it is 28 percent.

"The Chinese system, with its emphasis on collective freedom, long-term stability and unwavering investment in itself, has demonstrated its ability to provide a more holistic approach to societal wellbeing."

The Chinese system provides greater overall stability, prosperity and even freedom, added Bertrand.