This yr marks half a century of formal diplomatic relations between China and the European Union in addition to the twenty fifth anniversary of the founding of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. As a part of a collection of experiences inspecting ties between the two powers, Meredith Chen and Nora Mankel take a look at how China flipped the know-how script with Europe.
They lined 25 cities in 5 international locations – from France to West Germany – and toured dozens of factories, mines, ports, farms, universities and analysis institutes.
From what they noticed, the officers reckoned that China was at the least 20 years behind in science, know-how and trade – and modernisation in normal.
The nation was about to embark on reform and opening up – a state coverage that may usher in a long time of breakneck progress – and the journey provided a clear approach forward.