In September 2009, ChinaCulture.Org interviewed China’s former Ambassador Wang Yusheng and his wife at their apartment in Beijing where they discussed the cultural exchanges between China and the various countries he has been stationed in since the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Diplomacy itself is an integrated art.

Host: Cultural diversity is spreading all around the world. What do you think of China’s cultural diplomacy?

Ambassador Wang: First of all, I’d like to share with you my opinion toward cultural diplomacy. In different circumstances, there is economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, etc. Actually, it’s not exact to express it that way. Because diplomacy itself is an integrated art involving economics, culture, military, etc. As for culture, it’s just an aspect of diplomacy.

On the other hand, Chinese culture boasts a profound cultural foundation and China has always believed “harmony is precious” throughout history, which greatly influences Chinese diplomacy. The Chinese dialectics theory “yin and yang” is well-known. But, it’s rarely known by foreigners that “yin and yang” is Chinese dialectical materialism from ancient times.

Therefore, there are two main tasks for Chinese diplomacy: one is to advertise ourselves; the other is to know the world. Through communication, both sides will benefit from each other.