Interview with Stephen

By Gavin Jon Mowat, People's Daily Online

Although the world we live in gets smaller by the minute, not everyone is in a position to travel where they want, when they want. This inevitable fact of life means that many perceptions are still heavily influenced by place of birth – postcode perceptions.

It could be said that limited experience may inhibit one's ability to avoid resorting to prejudice. However, this cannot be said of Stephen from the UK.

Although he has not yet been to China, Stephen has taken a keen interest in the country's people, politics, history and art to name but a few. Stephen kindly provided me with his insight into China, from the outside looking in.

Stephen was glad I gave him an opportunity to talk about China, a country he described as, "…a dynamic, resourceful strong compassionate and beautiful nation."

Some westerners have become well aware of the influence Chinese artists, thinkers and leaders have had on human history.

As Stephen put it, "…Jen Po-nien of the White Lotus Society painters, T'ang Yin also a painter, Confucius author of the Analects, Lao-tzu founder of Taoism, Mao TseTung political leader. All of these figures are giants of Chinese society and whose actions have shaped or enriched the world beyond China's borders to an enormous extent."

Many people in the west have taken the time to study and learn from Chinese culture, breaking the shackles of perceptions borne out of geographical restrictions.

During his final year of study at Aberdeen University in Scotland, Stephen was given the opportunity to study Chinese Society as a module. This was in 2001 and he grabbed the opportunity wholeheartedly. "What struck me was how little I actually know of world culture, as most of my education until this point had been Eurocentric. Chinese study opened up the opportunity to begin to interoperate the world from an Eastern perspective."

Motivated by intrusiveness to learn about all things different and by a fixation for Chinese culture – people everywhere are jumping at the opportunity to change their perceptions through education

Like Stephen says, "One of these fascinations is how the Chinese language has its roots in pictorial representation. I also have an intellectual curiosity as to the way in which written Chinese unites the minorities of China."

On top of the obvious magnetism of Chinese culture, there are those overseas Chinese who are conducting themselves with such eloquence that entices foreigners to learn more about China.

These 'ambassadors' from China are helping to break postcode perceptions and any unfounded prejudice.

"There are many Chinese who come to Scotland and Britain for work, study and holiday. I have had the great pleasure of meeting some of these people who have given me a small insight into life and perspectives in China." said Stephen.

Stephen described one such 'ambassador' for China as "…amongst one of the most intelligent and focused people I have had the pleasure to meet."

More recently Stephen told me that he met a Chinese family during a tour of the West coast of Scotland. "I was delighted by their enthusiasm for Scotland... The father of the family concerned was unable to speak English but his excitement and desire for sharing with me Chinese was unmistakable."

"Both sets of people I have met from China have been excellent ambassadors for China and have inspired me all the more to visit."

Having contact with expatriates or overseas students seems to be a good way of finding out first hand what a country's people and culture is really like. In my humble opinion it is a proactive rather then reactive way of getting perspective that should be encouraged

Of course in today's diverse world we can easily encounter foreign cultures within our own countries, Chinese culture is no exception. And it would seem it's having quite a positive impact - "Chinese food is truly amazing."

"There are a plethora of Chinese restaurants in Scotland, as well as Chinese fast food outlets, all of which are extremely popular..." Stephen said of Chinese culture spreading in Scotland.

We are born in one place and are filled with knowledge that comes from people who have lived in and tend to love that place, thus our perceptions can easily be tainted. We should therefore keep an open mind when using this knowledge to form perceptions.

In the words of Confucius; "When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge."

Stephen is a shining example of a person who searches for knowledge and experience to enrich his values and perceptions. He said that there is much to be inspired by in China, "I would say China is a must on my list of countries to visit and learn more from. It should be for any Scots person."

As our world becomes more integrated, I hope that I and many more can follow his lead.