Interview: Focus on similarities in promoting cross-cultural exchange, says Swiss scholar

A Swiss scholar has stressed the need to focus on similarities instead of differences in promoting exchanges between different countries and cultures.

Ruedi Nutzi, head of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts North-western Switzerland's (FHNW) School of Business, who won the Chinese government's Friendship Award in 2014 for promoting cooperation and communication between China and Europe, made the remarks during an interview with Xinhua on Friday.

"Sometimes one focuses too much on the differences, and then the question is, what about the similarities?" he said. "When you have a fixed perception of someone, or something like a culture or country, this is to start off by losing."

Nutzi remained engaged in Sino-European exchanges in the area of eduction and professional training for the last 20 years. The FHNW School of Business is now present in eight Chinese provinces with 14 different partners.

Over the last ten years, 400 Swiss students have visited China while 200 Chinese students and 700 Chinese executives have participated in short-term programs offered by the FNHW School of Business, according to Nutzi.

He said open-mindedness is a key factor that has contributed to the successful cooperation between China and Europe, adding that the Chinese are more open-minded than several decades ago.

Noting China's changing and growing role within the international system, Nutzi said understanding China as well as the Chinese people is the first priority before making deals with China.

"Understanding Chinese culture, its history and the attitudes of the Chinese is the basis of cooperation," he concluded. Endit