Westerners need to see China in right perspective

During my recent trip to Minsk, Belarus, I met with Jaroslav Romanchuk, economist and a presidential candidate in 2010. Since he lost the election to President Alexander Lukashenko, I wanted to talk with him to know what a politician not in power thinks about China.

Normally, in the West, politicians in power and those in the opposition hold opposing views on China to attract voters. So I thought Romanchuk, now president of Scientific Research Mises Center and deputy chairman of United Civil Party of Belarus, will have views different from that of Lukashenko, who considers China a friend.

Romanchuk said he fully understands China's rise and the challenges it faces. Asked about his views on the challenging efforts of China and Belarus to transform a village near Minsk airport into a high-tech city in 20 years, he belied fears of China's growing presence in his country, saying the project is welcome and it would progress faster if he is president.