国内英语新闻:Celebrations testify stronger China: European expert

COPENHAGEN, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- The impressive celebrations on Oct. 1 has testified that China is now a very important country in the world and holds a strong position globally, a European expert on China said.

    The celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China "were very impressive," Kjeld Erik Broedsgaard, professor and director of the Asia Research Center in Copenhagen Business School, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

    "I think China now is in a stronger position globally than it was in any times since 1949. The celebrations really testify that this is the case," said Broedsgaard, who has been closely following the development of China for more than 30 years.

    China's economic, political and cultural influence has been on the rise in recent years, said Broedsgaard, who has written and edited 18 books and monographs on modern China and East Asian affairs.

    Describing China as being at the "forefront in terms of economic development," the Danish professor said China's role is "critical" in tackling the global financial crisis.

    On China's political influence, he said China has taken part in "a variety of multilateral for a" in addition to international organizations such as the World Trade Organization and the United Nations.

    The Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 also showed China's increasing significance, he observed.

    Culturally, "China is also in a position where soft power is increasing," said Broedsgaard, who is a member of the Advisory Committee of the EU-China Academic Network and the Sino-Danish Joint Committee for Cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation.

    Many people are interested in the Chinese tradition and culture, while more and more people are studying the Chinese language, he said, taking South Korea as an instance.

    There are more people in South Korea studying Chinese than English, he explained.

    Confucius institutes have been established in many countries, he said, adding that there is a Confucius Business Institute in Copenhagen.

    As for the problems that China faces, Broedsgaard said that "there are always problems when a country rises."

    But he said it is useful to remember history and put things in a historical perspective, adding that it is very important to remember that this is the "re-emergence" of China, which was a strong and important country in the past.

    To ease the concerns of other countries, China has to relate to its partners and major powers and reassure them that it is a win-win situation in which "I get stronger, but you also get benefit," he said.

    Broedsgaard also commented on the party building of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which was a focus of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee held in Beijing from Sept. 15 to Sept. 18.

    "The whole issue of party building is important because the quality of leadership is important," he said, adding that the failure of the Soviet Union in the 1990s was part of "a question of the quality of leadership."

    The CPC has been able to reform, renew and revitalize itself, he said.