Global affairs scholar: Understanding Chinese culture is key to understanding the world

Fifty years ago, as a young high school student, David Harland first arrived in China with his parents. Reflecting on that experience, he said, "I could feel China was returning to the center stage of the world".

This early experience influenced Harland's later life choices. After completing his university studies in New Zealand, he chose to return to China and pursued further studies at Peking University.

During his time in China, Harland immersed himself in ancient Chinese classics. "These classics opened up a new universe of understanding for me," he said, adding that Sun Tzu's strategic analysis, though written 2,500 years ago, remains highly relevant today.

He believes these ideas are indispensable for today's international system. He encourages Western youth to explore Chinese classics, emphasizing their value in fostering understanding and becoming bridges between cultures.

Click to watch the video and hear David Harland's reflections on China's classics!