Distinguished Lecture: Navigating the Future of US-China Relations

On Friday, April 28, 2023, John Thornton, Director of the Global Leadership Program at Tsinghua University in Beijing and former President of Goldman Sachs, lead a conversation about Navigating the Future of US-China Relations in the Amir and Zaib Husain Auditorium on the campus of @UTAustin.
Moderator:
JR DeShazo, Dean, @TheLBJSchool of Public Affairs, UT Austin
Hosts:
David Vanden Bout, Dean, College of Natural Sciences, UT Austin
Don Fussell, Chair, Department of @UTexasCompSci, UT Austin
Amir Husain (B.S. ’98 UT Austin), Founder & CEO, @SparkCognition
Zaib Husain (B.B.A. ’99 UT Austin), Founder, Makerarm

[@michaelw7867]

The Chinese American woman who asked the last question is typical of many in the US, she doesn't know anything about today's China. She only knows what her parents or grandparents generation told her, information which is now 50 or almost 100 years out of date. Thornton answered diplomatically but accurately. I've been to China a number of times; his comments are accurate - the average Chinese citizen knows much more about us than the average American knows about China, and their information about us is accurate. The cure that Thornton suggests is also right on; go visit China, talk to ordinary Chinese, see for yourself. Don't believe any country's propaganda; even a simple tourist visit for two weeks will be an eye opener.

[@waimoy552]

Agreed with you., she is brainwashed by media and corrupt politicians and/or just uneducated about China. She sounded like a hypocrite journalist and have a superiority complex. People like her can create more division than unity in the world. She needs to go visit China before asking or suggested something stupid.

[@jaygor3912]

she is probably just a * banana * borned outside China and do ** not** know speak or read Chinesse and know NOTHING about history of China. All she knows about being Chinese is just Chinese New Year & some Chinese food! I know so many of them in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia who never attended any school where Chinese language is taught! And in fact those group of individuals of Chinese descent are so proud about themselves being Westenized. Many of them even look down of their counterparts who read & speak Chinese with interest in Chinese literature and history.

[@daelundrumavidem8033]

She is parroting those messages I see everywhere on the social media against China, most likely manufactured in Taiwan or Hongkong by the anti-China parties. Her words def sound like she has been brain washed quite throughly.

[@o.l.9795]

She was merely parroting Mike Pompeo’s attempt to differentiate the CCP from the people of China. Of course the hard work and ingenuity of the Chinese people played an important role, but how could this economic miracle be achieved without the Chinese government’s policy, guidance, and execution?

[@youziyi]

Well I did talk and try to make friends with hundreds and most were condescending and extremely hateful I'm sorry to say. I found exceptions but most don't care if you love their culture, study their language, etc, not in my experience. May be different for you as an Asian person feel free. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone else.

[@Nano-nb8ep]

All the questions that woman asked at ~54 min. were straight out of CIA propaganda playbook. John handled it politely without directly calling out the lies.

[@Alex-ig2xr]

If a Chinese American can be brainwashed like that, imagine what it would impact on regular American who has no knowledge of China at all.

[@frankm6218]

Feel the same way here.

[@gw1284]

she has been brain-washed

[@lorainejones41]

The USA always says there not against the people in put Name of Country here. That line is so old they used to say that about the Soviet union too.

[@gyaltsenwangchuk7669]

Mr. Thorton is speaking as if he is the spokesperson of CCP without any objectivity as scholar of creditability.

[@ArielVisionary]

I am in complete agreement with John Thornton. I am an American who lived in China for four years, and have studied the history, politics, culture and trends of Chinese engagement in international business for over ten years, as well as studying Mandarin and watching historical dramas in Chinese. The future of humanity depends on a constructive relationship between the U.S. and China. It's that stark. However, it's also a great opportunity for Americans to engage in the rich, complex legacy of Chinese culture and to experience the wonders of this great country. My son followed me to China and married a very interesting young woman from Shandong Province. I now have an adorable Chinese-American granddaughter and a grandson on the way. I found the details of Xi JiPing's early life illuminating. Thank you for explaining what the One Road, One Belt initiative actually entails, and the high ideals of a peaceful world, common prosperity, harmony between man and nature. Your explanation of the strategy of Chinese to learn from other people is enlightening. I am very happy that you advised the Chinese to communicate their story in English, as you are entirely right that even so-called China experts often fail to understand the complexities of China. As an ESL teacher, I've seen how the Chinese have updated their language teaching methods, learning from American, Australian, British, Canadian and teachers from New Zealand who have brought the latest methods of teaching English (based on linguistics research) into their education system. All Chinese children study English. We might make some progress in our relations if all American children were to study Chinese.

[@dyrectory_com]

Thanks for sharing your story! 👏🏻

[@eroskaw5423]

propaganda. i am of chinese descent. and have been doing business in china for over 20 years. the chinese are the main victims of the ccp. the goal of the ccp is to subvert the USA. this is from the mouths of ccp officials

[@GlobalDrifter1000]

Wow. Watching historical dramas. You really are a heavy weight.🤣😂

[@Kotak8]

You’ve integrated into Chinese culture and ways of life quite well. Hope more Americans can visit and live in China for work or to pursue a course study at CN university.

[@GlobalDrifter1000]

@@Kotak8 Yep both my wife and I had our pockets packed in China. Live six years and asia. The only problem we had was in China.

[@paulli1535]

Just want to make sure that everyone understands, the Chinese woman who asked the question doesn’t not represent vast majority of Chinese around the world. She has some ax to grind for sure. But she is clearly misguided and blinded by common stereotypes and misperceptions. John Thornton is so insightful that it’s good for everyone to pay attention to what he says!

[@leisurecide9478]

Probably a FLG member.

[@beerman204]

He responds to her by saying Chinese have full access to the world's information. I was not aware of that.

[@HeresMyView]

​@@beerman204, not exactly. He said the Chinese are more informed about the US and western countries than the western people about the Chinese. The western population are more ignorant about China. This discrepancy created more hate about China.

[@28119850]

That Chinese woman is so ignorant about CCP and China. She brings shame to herself.

[@Jeffrey2323]

A truly great mind who understands China. A rare one. A sane voice in crazy USA.

[@truthaboveall7988]

Yes. Imagine the world 🌎 where the US didn’t spend 1T on military but instead ok bettering the world including their own country which is in a serious crisis of despair & madness

[@junpinhren1825]

@@truthaboveall7988 i😊ô

[@tonyxu1800]

Mr. Thornton is so knowledgeable about China, but more impressed, he is such a decent person, a great human being.

[@gw1284]

Yes, he thinks about people in 2050, Many politicians are busy increasing debt ceiling limit and leaving mountain of debt to future generation.

[@mikeboate208]

@@gw1284 Do YOU want to deal with the mountain of debt NOW ?

[@kaimingraymondchoi9909]

A Chinese audience said, United States is against the comminist party and not its people. Let me give her a real example to consider. I have a friend in China, an ordinary person who runs a small factory. He sells cups to United States. A few months ago, his customer from United States told him that they are going to cut their orders by 1/3 next year because his factory is in China. Is this kind of behavior against the CCP or its people?

[@aslampervez2294]

Westerners are imperialist hypocrites.

[@teoengchin]

There's lots of delusional people living in the west that think they know what's best for China better than the people living in China

[@tofuyam7361]

The US is against the Chinese people. The US government is just lying so they don't seem too racist or warmongering

[@paulflinn3521]

It's probably not done to hurt either. But rather ,just business. It could be that since the year 2000,the average wage in China has increased 15 fold,and the cup is just too expensive now!

[@kaimingraymondchoi9909]

@@paulflinn3521 it's not the price. it's just where it is made. It will cost the company more to have them made in Indonesia where they are compelled to building a new factory.

[@superobservation]

As an American living in China, this is EXACTLY the kind of thinking that is required to productively move forward.

[@eroskaw5423]

5 mao.

[@netterdrachen1687]

@@eroskaw5423 I am sorry for your brain.

[@ggc7318]

@@netterdrachen1687 She lives in London and have a CCP daddy at China. She is a hypocrite. She loves western freedom but back by CCP's $$$.

[@tooltalk]

@@eroskaw5423 : can't agree more. This is exactly the kind of naive thinking that the "globalization," or sinicization, charlatans were promoting back in the 2000's.

[@0311ohrah]

This Chinese lady is dreaming. Glad the spea set it straight. Chinese people in China university know what's going on outside China.

[@boonchongsim8926]

Happy to see how the Guest Speaker rebut the last "Chinese" audience who think too highly on herself being "understand" of the present China and want to "save" the people in China from CPC.

[@winsonhan2187]

She speak from a point of ignorance bordering on stupidity.

[@xdgao3015]

What a gem! This is someone.who really knows China! Make other so called China experts amateurs! I'm glad I came across this lecture!

[@aaabbb-py5xd]

When can the Chinese stand on our own legs and not look for foreign validation? As a Chinese, I'm happy that American propaganda has managed to convince America of certain things. I'm also happy that there are "dissident" "Chinese" talking shit about China (or in their words, the Chinese Communists. Sure why not, I can entertain their spin). I only worry that, no matter how many mistakes America makes, the Chinese, including the Chinese Communists, do not know how to take advantage. And eventually, the Chinese Communists won't be able to save China from the fate of the European "Union". Yes, I switched a few things here and there in this comment so as to not accidentally help America perfect its lies and propaganda.

[@DK-jz6cn]

We know what Chinese Nazi CCP did to Tibetans and Uyghurs. Right?

[@funfsinn14]

I've worked in china since '15 and pretty much everything Thornton expresses lines up with my personal experiences and interactions.

[@aaabbb-py5xd]

Then you won't forget to spell China properly

[@varivavariva6045]

Finally, a speaker who truly knows about China and the Chinese society

[@rickzeng1882]

John Thornton is by far the best person in the west that can explain China from a Chinese perspective.

[@ggc7318]

😂

[@binfordiu]

John is one of the good guys And there are good guys with his kind of professional and material success.

[@aaabbb-py5xd]

How is he a good guy? Because his strand of American propaganda against China is less retarded than the usual ones?

[@jeanfan6044]

The speaker is honest, but not many people will believe him.

[@Houthiandtheblowfish]

we live in a world where worlds truth is out there but people have bought their favourite tinted glass from their favorite cool aid drink maker

[@aaabbb-py5xd]

The speaker is NOT honest. For example, why does China have to explain Ukraine? After all, it's the "free world" which has allowed "democracy" to trump sovereignty. For example, the "free world" shall explain why Kosovo is allowed "independence" from Serbia. Then, the "free world" can explain why Eastern Ukraine isn't allowed to democratically join Russia. Other things the "free world" has to answer for: (1) Why did NATO expand after the Cold War (2) Why did the ""free world" fuel Taiwan independence right after its decision to start a New Cold War. When China says it wishes for world peace, China can only do so when the "free world" is under lock and chains.

[@koujhgloup]

@@Houthiandtheblowfishyou are so right, sadly though!

[@yingzhang7637]

Well said! 1.Chinese are good learners: i have first hand experience during the 90s, that the Chinese Central government sent out leadership group to Europe to listen, observe how Western European Government, Society works. i was a student in Western Europe and Organized the logistics for them. The visit grew from Central government down provincial governments, learning. 2. China thought systems are not restricted by the Marxism and leninism thought systems because China had a long history. So it can go beyond marxism and leninism. The last 300 years before the commencement of yixian Sun's constitutional state movement, China was occupied by non-Han nomads. Only because this group of nomads were willing to adopt some Chinese Culture including some thought systems, the Chinese thought systems got extended further 300 years. Despite Qing fell soon after the peak, much of the Chinese Traditional thought school preserved. When Qing dynasty fell, Chinese/China lost direction. Because, Chinese did not want to go back to feudalism/monarch; but with no experience of industrializing the country (capitalism) , no experience of constitutional monarch, or constitutional state, while some of the people returned from overseas (including yixian Sun) , China started experiments. Marxism and Leninism were an option available at the time. The country slided into one of the poorest country. The idea of Marxism and Leninism (ML) were to help the poor. It suited the situation. The CPC took ML path but to find a way to make a return of China had made ups and downs until today. Jiang kaichek (Taiwan) took Constitution/Democracy. Therefore, China has more thought schools than only Marxism and Leninism.

[@Jiidwag]

Great summary, worthy of research

[@gregorystarks2514]

For the Us Oligarchs who want to.put the world simply according to their propaganda a country is either " democratic"l like " them " or communist a very simplistic view which allowed them to Bull shit the countries they are plundering .

[@fivefive8910]

Salute to ur historical analysis

[@user-my2bc8cs4d]

蒋介石是一个独裁者，他儿子后来接替了他。事实上早期和现在的共产党比蒋介石残留下的政权更民主。

[@pierrotlefou1143]

Fascinating. There is a big difference in being able to speak Chinese and being able to understand what is actually being said. High form Chinese is all about that subtext. John Thornton really is not some Kevin Rudd type of phoney confirmed. His 4 person XJP dinner, Kerry tidbit, and his recounting his son's school report is really interesting in that context (confirms some current and future things).

[@aaabbb-py5xd]

No. His recounting of the dinner claimed that Xi had rejected the "rule of law". Prominently missing are the details of that exchange. I can entertain that Xi had rejected something in that conversation, but I'm going to need the whole transcript to determine whether John Thornton is simply just another liar. One of the many red flags for me was his insistence that China ought to explain Ukraine when America can explain neither Kosovo nor Taiwan nor NATO.

[@koujhgloup]

@@aaabbb-py5xdyou apparently have hard time with English comprehension

[@aaabbb-py5xd]

@@koujhgloup thanks for your tears, rebuttal free as they come

[@siamcharm7904]

it was thornton who releived rudd of his post at asia society.

[@randomname931]

kevin rudd is a china hawk. he drops chinese phrases in all his interviews to lend himself extra credibility but don't be fooled by that.

[@perrylee1913]

It is not an easy matter in the US and west now to to say anything true about China. The speaker is brave. The lies about HongKong, Taiwan and Xinjiang have destroyed the respect and admiration of a lot of Chinese people to the west, which had lasted for the past 30 more years.

[@darrellhenry9152]

I think the brutally of Xinjiang and the crushing of the protesters in Hong Kong and the threatening of Taiwan have destroyed what belief people in the west had toward China.

[@pahatpahat9566]

A very interesting and also important talk from the West with comprehensive explanation of Xi's vision and also the distrusted views currently propagated to the world by many current western leaders.

[@aaabbb-py5xd]

The speaker claimed that American aggression was motivated by its ignorance and lack of understanding of China. This is a poor attempt to escape accountability. The American rhetorical track record has long betrayed the fact that this New Cold War is caused by American ego, malice, and its imperial inclinations. So long as China doesn't become a serf, China will be attacked by the US. The tried and true American propaganda of "freedom" simply can't afford a China that is free from the American narrative. This talk is as useful as regular American propaganda. You thought well of the talk only because the sheer amount of "free world" lies has so lowered the bar to practically the ground that anything other than your regular programming sounds true, even when it's yet another lie.

[@howardsting5035]

Such a man with wisdom.

[@ggc7318]

😂

[@Kotak8]

After having lived in China for almost 3 decades, China is not a economy of communism. It’s more capitalist than most western economies. Thornton and Sachs are of the same rank in wisdom, intellectual and honesty.

[@manishbusinesslancer3093]

Simply one of the best global analysis on politics ever to be published for this generation and the future.

[@billhuang8778]

Thank you John for speaking the truth in this most difficult time. The US-China relationship must be improved for the benefits of all.

[@johnlee-yo8jc]

Falun Gong in the audience.

[@seaskyguy]

Guess who he/SHE is!?!?

[@joylove8693]

Salute to the professor, many thanks for your wisdom, I truly hope the western world especially the USA can hear your voice.

[@jackcheng7437]

Mr. John knows China modern reform history ,Chinese culture and politics, so his speech is very good for American people， Both countries can work together again, peace for the world ❤🎉

[@nanhinting7447]

Do not expect the US to slow down on its hostility. They and the UK will keep doubling down. As was mentioned in Liz Truss statement. They are obviously trying to thwart China's progress and rise no matter what.

[@pikachus5m166]

More so after their failed bioweapon attack on Wuhan.

[@stanbimi]

A most educational and enlightening talk. Trying to imagine what a dinner chat between John Thornton, Ray Dalio, Jeffrey Sachs and Joseph Stiglitz would be like. Who can set it up?

[@kaimingraymondchoi9909]

Hawkish interpretation leads to conflict. In Deng's will, he reminded his people to work hard, develop and improve the strength of our nation. We have to do it humbly and quietly. This originated as a virtuous Chinese ancient culture. But the western hawkish media said, Deng asked his people to strengthen the nation secretely.

[@user-nh7gl2hm3m]

I hope we have and need to have more clear, impartial man like Mr. Thornton to know more and speak about, not only China, but the rest of our world as well. We Americans, in general, are too egocentric and thinks the world "should" revolve around us.

[@boonchongsim8926]

As asean Chinese, i would like to pen down some of the answers. 1. About joining the English language community, first of all, this is not the first language and it's a language that is very different Chinese system, so it is hard for Chinese (educated with Chinese sytem) to express well. Secondly, Chinese like to act than speak, usually would like to get the results tell itself, however it will be hard to survive against most criticisms. Thirdly, there have been many biased/false commentaries about anything of Chinese, such as the data, the works, the behaviours, etc, and making Chinese difficult to get the right attentions. Regarding Hong Kong, i believe the manage of the place after its return is always acting as a show case to unification of Taiwan, however there are parties (including Taiwanese and foreigners) who are against unification, actually doing a lot of sabotage, including brain washing the young hongkongnese through the education. So much so that one would think the 1 country 2 systems had failed by itslf.

[@jimmylam9846]

Hong Kong was a spy capital of Asia and the Brits had laid down mines before they left in education, judiciary, legislative system....made sure people in the system were implanted with anti-China and Pro west ideology.

[@hongqi5734]

You are spot on, and I agree with you absolutely.

[@saml7610]

Absolutely eye opening lecture. I very much appreciate the honesty and the insider perspective. I hope we can get more rational voices like this to the fore.

[@aaabbb-py5xd]

Eye opening? Close them back sweetie. It's always been "insiders" who tell lies. You should question how this "insider" is any different from the usual Washington insiders. Sure, the speaker here is not dealing in hyperboles against China, but that only means that the Americans are now bothering to work on propaganda. I mean, after decades of bullshitting on China, Americans have now wised up to upgrade their "messaging". For example, I'm at the part where the speaker recounted his dinner conversation with Xi about "the rule of law". Supposedly, Xi had rejected "the rule of law". Really? Lol, I can assume that Xi had rejected something in that conversation, but I need to see the transcript to know what actually happened. The charge just reeked of "free world" "journalism".

[@HeresMyView]

It ain't gonna happen bcos anyone who speaks in pro-China tone will be ostracized, be little and be labeled as an outcast. It is the social norm by design from many decades of indoctrinations.

[@wyodragon4325]

The economic models used by China and USA are totally different. This is why they cannot agree. The economic model of China is based on the hard work and ingenuity of its people coupled with trade and peaceful cooperation with other countries. This is the model that makes China rich and, at the same time, allows China to help other countries to become rich also. The Belt and Road Initiative is an example of how China interacts with other countries that benefits all the countries that participate in it. On the other hand, the economic model used by USA to become rich is based on stealing the wealth of other countries, using brute force (military power) and other devious means such as lies, cheats, sanctions, blackmail, coercion, etc. to carry out its thefts. It is a gangster-like economic model that benefits USA at the expense of the countries that are its victims. Furthermore, such economic model inevitably means constant violence, wars, destruction and murders.

[@offred6013]

Peaceful cooperation with other countries. Lol have u ever seen maps published by China. Almost all of their neighbours have complaints 😂😂😂

[@Space_Magic_cube]

China solved all border issues of land with 14 countries except India and Bhutan（the diplomacy controlled by india）, current issue you mentioned is only sea borders. Even sea borders actually is "nine dash" less than "eleven dash",which is defined by ROC(current Taiwan regime），this arguement actually appeared in 1970s. But even so, China still are willing to negotiated with Asean to define the rules. How can you spread such kind of rumors@@offred6013

[@lyin4rmu]

one point to be made. china didnt manage hong kong. it was the hong kong government that said they would handle it themselves which is why the chinese military police did not enter hong kong. if you remember they stayed beyond the boarder of hong kong. hong kong since being returned to china has continued to remain an autonomous region of china. also anyone who's been to xinjiang knows the genocide narrative is lies. how can there be a case to be made for genocide if the uyghur population is growing year over year and people are free to practice their religion and culture in xinjiang?

[@lisa.e5776]

The problem is China didn't manage Hong Kong since the return of the island

[@spade1974]

only western media and govts can get away with these lies on sinkiang .that is the reason why the west has lost all credibility in third world nations?the russian ukraine war has completely exposed western hypocrisy and barbarism ?

[@zc4483]

Such a wise man, should lead the foreign policy with China for the best interest of the whole world. Kudos to John Thornton

[@daffyduck4195]

The CCP was patient w/ Hong Kong, allowing 6 months of sit down protest. It didn't make any difference by continuing this protest but only bothered the financial district. After 6 months of sit down, it was appropriate to remove people. The same happened w/ Tianamen square protest which lasted 6 months. The authorities got tired and had to clean out the crowd.

[@kinchau4764]

It’s CPC

[@B.H90]

so Glad there still a platform for some one like John to share his view...

[@sgjner]

He is a good guy. I’m afraid what he said would never reach those in power in the US, or even it does it would fall on deaf ears. Right now politicians in the US are discussing relationships with China in an echo chamber. They are having this groupthink which reinforces each other hawkish attitude toward China.

[@pureality4117]

Right on. People in that echo chamber are all enjoying the same temperature, no matter how cold or warm the outside world is.

[@organizer14]

This is very helpful to hear related to China! Good background related to Chinese leadership.

[@archerzzy]

To all Americans watching this video, enjoy your life in China. I am enjoying my life in the states and wish these two countries have a brighter future.

[@dennisip7230]

J Thornton is so much more knowledgeable on China than K Rudd

[@siamcharm7904]

joh was rudd's boss at asia society. rudd was eased out.

[@dlk3904]

Wow the story about the BRI is enlightening

[@engsudatta276]

An insightful observer of Chinese culture and China's political and economic systems, and their developments.

[@tonytan6547]

Mr Thorton's understanding of chinese thinking is far better than Mr.Kevin's

[@jessicarubios2222]

Thank you for presenting this voice. The western world needs to hear this perspective because unfortunately, there is not enough interest nor trust in Chinese media even when it clearly illustrates high values, impressive achievement and a wonderful thirst for world cooperation, prosperity and peace.

[@dtongo]

The best presentation of the current US China situation I have heard yet. John has a fantastic understanding of China and especially for an oversea Chinese Canadian like myself. Enjoyed the presentation immensely.

[@chriswong9158]

People in America can change political party but can't change policy. 1941's to present, one policy & still two political party. People in China can't change their political party but they can change policy. 1949's to present, China change policy 3 times.

[@zjluo4859]

Not always true buddy, you can change political party in China if other parties (small democractic ones like 93 Society, Zhi Gong Party) accept you. Indeed I am an example.

[@paulflinn3521]

The university exchange number is not 10 to 1, but 1000 to 1.

[@chiasunmeng]

One of the best speech i had ever listen to

[@warrennelson5190]

The media question was interesting. China don't see media spin as a priority. Spin is only important when you're trying to convince people to believe a lie

[@myla6135]

Or when you have elections to win .... which is the same thing really ... you resort to lying to convince people to believe a lot of nonsense. Unfortunately it works ... which is more the fault of the media not the people.

[@CNHabs]

It's crazy that the US was officially offered to participate in the 1 Belt 1 Road jointly.

[@AyY846]

Thornton is amazing in providing a fair portrait of China. What a talk!

[@organizer14]

Excellent insightful true understanding and assessment re China. Thank you John Thornton!

[@MrBdoleagle]

Such a great mind, and a real wise person. What he said is absolute true about China

[@xiaofengli4426]

I am Western educated and now working in China. This is a particularly good discussion that reflects the real Chinese way of thinking. The American understanding of China is simply not correct.

[@yeejlilys9742]

Unbelievably good lecture!

[@yeejlilys9742]

@@ggc7318 Confuse he and she?

[@ggc7318]

@@yeejlilys9742 Wrong posting. I was referring to Keyu Jin, the hypocrite.

[@trishaanderson7344]

CGTN and other online Chinese newspapers, plus online discussions not dominated by Western speakers, are helping me educate myself about China. That's how i ended up at this youtube presentation. More to follow. So fun and inspirational to discover new perspectives.🧡

[@yunzhao1841]

我不知道西方人为什么不理解这句话：实践是检验真理的唯一标准。中国选择马克思仅仅是因为中国的实践证明它是对的。西方媒体宣传的言论自由、自由市场、民主选举在聪明人看来，只是一堆漏洞百出的洗脑口号，这些理念连欧美自己发展经验都不符合。

[@chowleong5782]

The 😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮

[@chowleong5782]

😊😊😊😅😊

[@user-mn7bb9nj5y]

SCMP is worth reading.

[@ggc7318]

🤣 o no no no...

[@ArielVisionary]

I came to know a young Chinese scientist quite well (who now teaches in the U.S.), who had attended an elite high school whose students came from all over his city. They were the most intelligent in their schools, so earned entrance into the elite high school. He told me that this system was common throughout China. Yes, China has a meritocracy. That's not to say there isn't corruption within that meritocracy.

[@lisa.e5776]

Corruption comes from the greediness of mankind. It happened in every country.

[@skazka3789]

As an Australian born Chinese, I lost braincells listening to that last question

[@waynerainer5250]

I lost my sight when I rolled back my eyes so hard

[@tonytan6547]

Mr.John Thorton is a true intellectual with integrity

[@jamesloming]

The last questioner, who claimed to be a Chinese, attempted to paint the usual western media narrative before posing the question was swiftly debunked by the professor.

[@zacharydavis4398]

Thanks for spending the time to create and share this content awareness/perspective

[@stephenyang2844]

I agree with Mr. Thornton's view, It is how America responds to China's rise that matters. Premier Zurongji was the architect of China's reform and transformation. China strives for prosperity and harmony in the world, not dominance.

[@user-my2bc8cs4d]

朱镕基何德何能做设计师

[@jackcheng7437]

His speech is an excellent speech,because he let both countries people know each other ❤❤🎉🎉

[@fxbillie]

The truth of the hostility between China and USA is that China doesn't want to make an enemy of USA. She has been taking all kinds of propaganda bashing her nonstop from the West. Trade war was started by USA. Tech war was started by USA. Hundreds of China's tech companies are banned or sanctioned by the States, including detaining the CFO Meng of Huawei. USA was actively destabilizing Hong Kong and Xinjiang all these times. So what did China do to USA in return? As of now, large US tech companies like Apple, Qualcomm, Nvidia, Texas instruments, Lam Research etc., they all do very well in China. Chinese still love to buy Apple IPhone when their own Huawei can't sell any in the States and most allied countries. So you cannot blame China for the sour relationship when USA is dominated by anti-China politicians and when its propaganda machines, the MSM are brainwashing average Americans to dislike China day in and day out.

[@kevinzoe9084]

So profound and impressive lecture!

[@ArielVisionary]

I agree that people-people relationships are very important. If Americans were to build strong sister city relationships between the U.S. and China, it could facilitate this.

[@rickzeng1882]

The ethnic Chinese lady at the end is a joke, tried to play smart but got destroyed

[@kens416]

An outstanding talk by an American who has intimate, firsthand knowledge of both US and China at the highest level. Sadly most Americans will never understand him.

[@michael511128]

Reflecting from audience responses and questions, his speech seems be viewed as “fascinating” and “captivating” like a sci-fi fiction. The 3 questions presumably asked by college students can be regarded as naive and delusional by Chinese college students. Not only they don’t know much about China but also not much about the US. Chinese college students would answer the question about Hong Kong and Taiwan by referring to US NGO operations using propaganda and bribery to incite unrests, protests, riots, win elections or overthrow existing governments. Watch Stephen Kinzer describing his book how the CIA overthrew the Iran prime minister in 1953. In the following decades up to the present similar methods have been applied around the world. There are plenty of NGO activities in not only HK and Taiwan but also Myanmar, Thailand, Japan, S Korea, India, Australia, countries surrounding China to undermine China’ Belt and Road and economic dominance in the region. They also promote tensions and proxy wars with China over Taiwan for war profiteering-defence budgets, nukes budgets, arms exports, oil prices and commodities prices; drawing in Japan, S Korea and hopefully NATO. Proxy wars will allow the US opportunities to get other countries decoupled from China and get their economic assets sucked into the US, such as the Chip industry. Finally, the reason why US students are so far off from the norm is because of propaganda by the US government. Watch Bernie Sanders addresses Oxford University.

[@kevinjohnson9533]

Informed opinion, the best kind.

[@monophthalmus3254]

That lady at the end that asked the question sounds like someone who was completely brainwashed.

[@MRTY323]

It's always refreshing to see an American who actually understand China, way more than those so-called experts like Gordon Chang!

[@tonytan6547]

That chinese lady's comments were totally wrong !

[@py9970]

I cannot agree with John that China did terribly on HK. In fact , its the colour revolution that tried in vain to topple the CPC. and created the yellow umbrella in 2014 and colour reviolution with riots in 2019-2021. The Chinese government has been patient enough to let go for HK people to self rule, but to our disappointments, the executives has been foolish and not working to the public 's expectations . Its was an excellent job that the central government did in implementing the Security law, which is universally present in all western governments and are much harsher . Its the well-known agenecy thats under cover trying to topple Hk and then the CPC .

[@helloworld0609]

Vow, a very enlightening talk. Biden and Xi had held three video conferences since 2021. The first two meetings were derailed by the (possibly faulty) US intelligence that China would provide military assistances, the third meeting was interrupted by the Pelosi visit to Taiwan.

[@user-mc2ww7gn8o]

Excellent！

[@Samoasoa]

If I still have any doubt about Xi's sincerity of helping the people, this lecture removed every one of it. Thank you for the enlightenment. Listen to the clip from 14:25 till 20:25

[@ZhenYae]

800 million people are moving into the middle class in China! The Asians, with their close proximity, are also benefiting, and their politics are free from Chinese interference. The Africans would gladly move their continent to Asia. Likewise, the South Americans should be free from the oppressive Monroe Doctrines. What don't they understand after centuries of western oppression, suppression, and slavery?

[@ganboonmeng5370]

Every year...he will personal..inspect the poorest...region...sitting down...to share..the poor meals..of the pleasants...enquiring about their welfare...He will ask..if they hv enough..to eat...are able...to keep..warm..in winter !

[@davidtan6889]

John thronton 確實比Kevin Rud更加了解中國。雖然Kevin 會說中文。

[@ZhenYae]

Kevin Rudd is now working for the US State Dept. 😊😊

[@daelundrumavidem8033]

Thank you very much for such a honest, just and wise talk on China. Intelligent, and unbiased. But I guess a lot of people will get angry at him for such a talk since it doesn’t fit their views of China and Chinese leaders. My hope is US and China will get along and create better things for the world. I have a lot confidence in China’s wisdom and strength in dealing with the challenges of a tantrum throwing America in the face of the rise of a multipolar world. It’s going to be a lot of turbulence ahead though.

[@HeresMyView]

I have seen so many videos of Chinese Experts on Ytube. Practically, all have the same thyme - they are western educated white with anti-China rhetorics. They just have to conform to the social pressure of Red Scare and Yellow Peril. However, Mr John Thornton here took me by surprise.

[@ajsjhala5229]

Most insightful discussions/ analysis.

[@plfong22]

That Chinese lady is anti China, prob Falun Gong member out to smear China. A chinese will never say CCP.

[@xrc5540]

Awesome breath of fresh air.

[@TC-dd2mi]

We all should think about the world in 2050 as he did.

[@philipwong895]

China: Let's be friends US: No EU: Maybe Russia: Yes Global South: Yes Russia: Let's be friends US: No EU: No China: Yes Global South: Yes

[@donaldjoseph3903]

You want to be a free person? No? Yes?

[@victorteo1446]

Right now it appears to be freedom to be racist, freedom to tolerate racism against you and freedom to suffer from gun violence

[@Houthiandtheblowfish]

@@donaldjoseph3903 you want to drink cool aid

[@djblame8954]

Friends Don't: Steal technology Imprison their people on religious & ethnic grounds Spy on your military bases Operate secret police stations in your cities across the world Create threatening situations in the South China Sea Get caught floating surveillance balloons over the South China Sea ..The U.S. does not need China for: Food, Energy, Technology, Trade Security, Financial Market access.....The U.S. should decouple from China. It is happening and it will continue to do so.

[@bbyl1485]

You want to leave in a corrputed US puppet country?

[@cart172]

That female Asian questioner is completely whitewashed. Mr Thornton's response was perfect.

[@mevech]

I used to think the same as the female audience, that the success of chinese economy is because of chinese people and not the CCP. But when i looked at Brazil or Argentina for example, before Deng took place, they were more wealthy and better developped than china. And i think its fair to say that Chinese citizen has higher QoL. How errogant of her and me to think its done by the people of china, as Brazilians and Argentinians people are just as capable and just as hardworking if not more.

[@zjluo4859]

China CCP is not evil, though may have many issues. If we follow De Bono Edward's horizontal thinking approach, CCP is doing positively compared to other parties of western.

[@pikachus5m166]

She more than likely believed Trump, when he said America built China.

[@fargr5926]

Same here. CPC did evil things, but one still needs to be careful when learning today’s China politics.

[@fatnlazychinc]

I’ve met people like the Chinese lady who claims the Chinese economic success has nothing to do with the CCP. How can you possibly make this claim, knowing china’s economic system is highly managed by its government, and government spending and policies form the outlook of the Chinese economy? I mean everyone calls China “communist” for a good reason, and you Must give credit (or blame) to the performance of the Chinese economy.

[@tedd9621]

American will tell you straight in the face. At 55:00, the lady claimed to be ethnic Chinese get roasted by the guest speaker. In fact, we have a description for this particular group called frogs under a well. The entire class must have laughed at her silently.

[@ZhenYae]

Quite a lot of Americans outside that classroom would agree with her. 😊

[@gw1284]

Thank you Sir John Thornton

[@yuetweiwan7034]

Wow - so good. A must watch.

[@bowerfrank]

What a speech. Thanks

[@peterwilliams7335]

Basically the Chinese government is very people oriented government who puts the needs and benefits of her people at first priority and everything the government does is according to this principle. The U.S. government is very corporate oriented government that careless about the needs and benefits of the majority of people. In the U.S., you have the empty and meaningless freedom and democracy that serves little or none real benefit to the mass majority of the people of the country. That is the fundamental difference between China and the U.S. and the U.S. government cannot accept that difference from China because the US is so used to its sole superpower and world domination position and any country that is about to catch up is seen as a threat to the US even China has no intention of taking over the US.

[@ZhenYae]

There is a saying...Can you eat Air. It is free. 😊😊.

[@0311ohrah]

Great lecture.

[@sibaraku2023]

Holly.... this is the guy who knows China for the best.

[@eduardoangeles9876]

My God!! He is so accurate about China.

[@ZhenYae]

Well..maybe..but the point has to be made. The government and the people and the country is one. 😊😊

[@ZhenYae]

Not on the use of the English language though.😊😊

[@organizer14]

Thank you for sharing, excellent new info!

[@choonnamong]

An insightful talk. Hope American Politicians can learn from this talk.

[@Ray89135]

Excellent insight. An eye opener

[@ivankarmin717]

This conversation was truly informative for me, as I have been working for the Ukrainian defence and didn't have much spare time to learn about China. China is not in the centre of Ukrainian news stream and we do not know much about its goals and accomplishments. The grim image of a world power silently and covertly supporting Russia, which attacked us in a violent way, is a very important factor that spoils the image and perception of China in the Ukrainian society. I am not in a position to teach the Chinese but if they want a peaceful world, they need to promote it in real life, not in their imagination. Russian regime is war-mongering and aggressive and its exploits have nothing in common with the principles of Chinese modernisation, as put here by Mr. Thornton. I hope China and Ukraine will become close partners for the mutual benefit. If China so wishes, it must help us stop the war.

[@tedd9621]

We will never get this discussion from big universities in Canada. We would be labeled pro-evil. Universities in the US are still top rank in the world.

[@ZhenYae]

Not even U.T. or UBC! You answered your own inquiry. A lot of Americans subscribe to the way she thinks of China. i.e., China is stealing our lunch, etc.