How Deng Xiaoping Told the Story of China to the World

From January 1978 to February 1979, Deng Xiaoping visited more countries than the rest of his life. At that time, Deng Xiaoping's visit had major strategic goals. On the one hand, he must unite neighboring countries, and on the other hand, he must seek help from Western developed countries in terms of capital, technology, and management experience necessary for China's modernization. As a leader of the Communist Party of China, he told the world how China determines the direction of international relations between these countries and China. In the end, Deng Xiaoping achieved more than expected results with his extraordinary wisdom, improved China's relations with neighboring countries, and made China irreversibly embark on the road of active participation in international affairs.

Delivering different messages for different audiences

One of the most important principles of international communication is to segment the audience market and provide different communication strategies for different audiences. Before his visit, Deng Xiaoping had already known the message he wanted to convey to different countries.

For neighboring countries such as Nepal, Myanmar, and North Korea, the focus of storytelling is to explain China's belief in respecting the independence of other countries and never seeking hegemony. Deng Xiaoping pointed out in Nepal: "The fierce competition of hegemonists in South Asia has made this region restless for a long time, seriously threatening the independence and security of the countries in this region, and has been condemned and opposed by the people of South Asia. The Chinese Government and people deeply sympathize with and firmly support this just position." "We will unswervingly implement the revolutionary diplomatic line and policy formulated by Chairman Mao and will never seek hegemony or become a superpower. We will continue to strengthen our unity with the countries and peoples of the third world and with all countries that are subject to imperialist aggression, subversion, interference, control and bullying, and form a broad international united front to oppose hegemonism."

For the United States and Japan, in addition to seeking their support for China's diplomacy, they must also seek their experience and help in realizing modernization. Therefore, the focus of storytelling lies in China's determination to promote peace, China's expectation of future development and stability, and its willingness to become a responsible and cooperative country. During his talks with Carter at the White House, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "Our view is that the whole world situation is not peaceful. If we want to create a world conducive to peace, security and stability, we should take the international situation seriously. As far as China is concerned, we do not want war. Our goal is to achieve the four modernizations, which requires a relatively long-term peaceful environment."

Respect local culture and fully release goodwill

Only when the narrator first integrates into the local society and makes the audience feel his kindness and respect, can he really attract the groups who are willing to listen to the story. During his visit to Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew had a brief understanding of Deng Xiaoping's habits in advance and specially prepared spittoons and ashtrays for him. But Deng Xiaoping also knew Lee Kuan Yew's habits and allergies in advance, and he neither smoked nor spit when he talked with him. When Lee Kuan Yew explained why Singapore would establish diplomatic relations with China after Indonesia, Deng Xiaoping expressed his full understanding and said wittily with a pun: "I can endure, just as I respect the wishes of the host here, and I did not smoke a cigarette during the talks." Deng Xiaoping's visit to Singapore won Lee Kuan Yew's great trust and goodwill. Subsequently, China and Singapore launched in-depth cooperation in various fields and levels.

In Thailand, Deng Xiaoping participated in the shaving ceremony of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, which caused a strong and good response among the Thai public who believe in Buddhism. The Thai people were very moved to see this scene on live TV. The local media commented that "Deng Xiaoping's understanding and attention to Thailand's top priority made him capture the hearts of the Thai people and become the most important historical visitor".

Searching for something in common, triggering emotional resonance

Finding a common historical experience between the narrator and the audience is always a quick way to get closer to each other. Cultural exchanges between China and Japan have a long history, and there are many stories that are well known to the people of the two countries. During Deng Xiaoping's visit to Japan, the theme of this visit was revealed by borrowing the historical story of Xu Fu's journey to Japan to seek the elixir of life under the orders of Qin Shihuang. He said that Japan has long been known as the country of Penglai, and it is said that there is an elixir of life. The purpose of this visit is: first, to exchange instruments of ratification; second, to express gratitude to old friends in Japan; and third, to find the elixir of life. As soon as Deng Xiaoping's voice fell, the scene burst into warm applause and laughter. Then Deng Xiaoping added that there may be no elixir of life. But I want to take Japan's advanced experience in developing science and technology back as a gift. Deng Xiaoping's words immediately narrowed the distance between China and Japan, reminiscent of the history of friendly exchanges for more than 2000 years, so that the two sides can forget the short-term unhappiness and join hands to move towards the future.

People of different countries have great differences in political systems, customs and values, but there are similarities beyond national boundaries and nationalities in the expression and expression of emotions. After the founding of New China, there were few exchanges between China and the United States, and Americans often left a stereotype of the leaders of the Communist Party of China. But when Deng Xiaoping warmly hugged and leaned over to kiss the singing child at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, many American audiences present were moved to tears. At that moment, they saw a neighbor grandfather who had the same true feelings as them. Senator Lakzert, who has always strongly opposed the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, said after watching the performance: We were defeated by them-no one can vote against children singing Chinese songs. Deng and his wife seem to really love the people; he really captivated the audience and the TV audience." Before the start of the performance at the Equestrian Arena in Houston, USA, two women riding white horses invited Deng Xiaoping to the audience and presented him with a brand-new white cowboy hat with raised edges. He immediately put it on happily. Fu Gaoyi, a well-known American expert on China issues, later recalled the incident and said: "When ordinary Americans saw Deng Xiaoping like this, they felt that although this person is a Communist Party, he seems to be a person like us. He will laugh. Maybe we can Contact him and negotiate with him."

Good at using the media, make their own voice

In international communication practice, the media is undoubtedly the most important media. During his foreign visits, Deng Xiaoping not only told the world about China in the form of a press conference, but also spread his views through well-known local media reporters.

During his visit to Japan, Deng Xiaoping attended a press conference held at the Japanese Press Club in Hibiya, Tokyo. This is the first time that a People's Republic of China leader has attended a Western-style press conference during his visit. In the face of more than 400 journalists from all over the world, Deng Xiaoping calmly and skillfully answered all kinds of questions raised by reporters, especially when the sensitive question of "Diaoyu Islands" was raised. His calm, humorous and intelligent answer deeply impressed the reporters present. When answering questions about the four modernizations, Deng Xiaoping pointed out that China has set goals and made breakthroughs in modernization at the end of the 20th century. In order to achieve modernization, China needs a correct political environment and policies. Deng Xiaoping conveyed China's desire and determination for stable development to the world through journalists from various countries.

Deng Xiaoping is also good at using the influence of well-known local media reporters. In an interview with commentators in the American radio and television industry, he expressed his desire to develop friendly relations between China and the United States: "My visit to the United States this time shoulders three missions: The first is to convey to the American people The friendship of the Chinese people; the second is to understand the American people, understand your life, understand your construction experience, and learn everything useful to us; the third is to extensively exchange views with the leaders of your country on the development of relations between the two countries and the maintenance of world peace and security." During his visit to Houston, he also had breakfast with editors-in-chief of newspapers, magazines and publishers in the Southwest. During the meeting, he confidently predicted the bright prospects of Sino-US cooperation: "Sino-US trade is not a matter of millions of dollars, but billions of dollars, or even tens of billions of dollars."

Source: Learning Times