Beware of distorted public diplomacy: China Daily editorial

Public diplomacy is not only necessary but also indispensable for different cultures to better know each other and learn from each other. Exchanges between individuals and social organizations promote trust and friendship between peoples of different cultures.

As such, the Public Diplomacy Grants Program of the Mission China Public Affairs Section of the US Department of State is welcome as long as the funding of up to $30,000 will be granted to those individuals or social organizations endeavoring to promote better China-US relations.

Many countries have such programs to promote cultural exchanges. And the diversity of cultures around the world spurs interaction among them. It is the diversity and uniqueness of different cultures that enrich the connotations of human civilizations, as demonstrated by the ancient Silk Road which enabled and promoted inter-civilizational dialogue among different civilizations. And today, cooperation among nations in areas such as science, technology, health and education are thriving like never before.

However, the fact that the US has a record of maneuvering to instigate color revolutions and even military coups in some countries points to the possibility that its program may be for the purpose of political infiltration or the cultivation of opposition forces to a country's government.

That the rioters who created havoc in Hong Kong had the open support of the US is a case in point. It is important for the US to have the awareness that different political systems need to respect each other. It cannot take it for granted that its own political system is superior to those that are different from its own. Particularly, since the flaws in the US system have become more readily apparent.

The political system of the US does not naturally grant it the moral high ground as many US politicians seem to believe nor give it the right to try and impose its values on other cultures.

Exchanges between different cultures should be conducted on an equal footing. It should be a process of different cultures learning from each other rather than one culture imposing its own values onto others.

When people from a country believe their country has the moral high ground, their behavior will usually be condescending while conducting cultural exchanges with their counterparts from other cultures. That is usually the case with the world's sole superpower as far as public diplomacy is concerned.

There is no knowing whether there are ulterior motives behind the US program. But it is certain that exchanges in a wide range of fields are needed through public diplomacy between China and the US.

It is only hoped that the Public Diplomacy Grants Program will be conducted in the best interests of both countries, and genuinely seek to promote more understanding between the two peoples.