by Yi Fan

Over 1800 years ago, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote in his Meditations: "Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth."

While this was the author's profound reflection on the gap between subjective perception and objective reality, and a lament on the limits of human understanding, it holds a stark warning in today's context of widespread misinformation about China.

Many people believe their understanding of a distant country is as comprehensive as their knowledge of their next-door neighbor. This may not be so. Such confidence is particularly dangerous when the public and government officials -- and the policies they make -- are misinformed by seemingly objective academic reports and news stories.

According to a recent report by RAND Corporation, an American think tank, titled "Stabilizing the U.S.-China Rivalry," some American experts and scholars, including former government officials and self-proclaimed "China hands," tend to mistranslate and misinterpret China's official documents, negatively affecting public perceptions of the country and even policymaking.

IS CHINA REALLY "BELLIGERENT?"

Some "China hands" claim that China seeks "violent" confrontation with countries that have different ideologies, indicating the possibility of military action. Such an incriminating accusation is based on a Chinese academic view that the country is entirely different from Western countries in terms of social system and ideology, which determines that the struggle and contest with them are therefore inevitably "long-term, complex and sometimes acute." Anyone could see the distance between the words "acute" (尖銳) and "violent." While China recognizes there are ideological differences, it never sees them as a barrier to peaceful coexistence and mutual learning, much less a reason for confrontation. The academic view is aimed at stressing the importance of upholding political security and enhancing the capacity to forestall risks -- a perfectly normal goal for any nation.

Another example is the translation of the Chinese term "fabao" into a more hawkish English phrase, "magic weapon," to characterize China in an aggressive light. Originally referring to Buddhist ritual objects, fabao, in contemporary Chinese lexicon, is now commonly used to describe an effective tool, method or experience. Chinese official documents often state that "seeking truth from facts and blazing new trails are important fabao for the Party's cause to achieve new successes." In China's political context, the word is now used to refer to the highly valued experience and methods of governance, without any added layer of "weapon."

Those who truly understand China know that since ancient times, the conviction of non-aggression has run deep in the genes of the Chinese. The Great Wall, first built in the 600s B.C., was designed for defense only. China's seaward expeditions led by Zheng He in the 1400s brought to foreign shores silk and porcelain rather than swords and knives. These are strong cases in point.

IS CHINA REALLY "EXPANSIONIST?"

The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposed steps to "more quickly elevate our people's armed forces to world-class standards," in order to build a modern socialist country in all respects. However, those who assumed that China will go down the path of power struggle with other countries deliberately distort the goal of military modernization into an ambition for "building a military capable of global power projection."

Truth is, China is focused on managing its own affairs well, not on meddling with other countries, much less seeking global hegemony. On issues of peace and security, China has the best record among major countries. China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature and adheres to a path of peaceful development. It has never taken an inch of land from others in the past and has no intention to engage in expansion or militarism in the future.

UNINTENTIONAL ERROR OR MALICIOUS INTENT?

Are these misinterpretations unintentional errors resulting from half-baked knowledge of China? Some of them, maybe. But as the RAND report indicates, the primary reason lies in the inclination to select "more hawkish English alternatives than the original Chinese language sources may imply."

In the current U.S. political debate, being "tough on China" is a shortcut to attract attention and create sensations, while objective and rational analysis often go unnoticed.

Hence, some scholars, who are supposed to be "China hands," sometimes would go to any lengths to scout for or even fabricate "evidence" to corroborate their theories with a presumption of "threat." With such intentions, their translation and interpretation of Chinese couldn't be further from the truth.

THE PATH TO UNDERSTANDING THE REAL CHINA

Some might argue that a thousand readers see a thousand Hamlets, so why must China be viewed from a single angle? Indeed, understanding China is like appreciating a grand painting: one can step back to take in the overall composition and savor the strength of its beauty, or lean in to study the brushstrokes and use of colors. However, one must look at the original masterpiece, not the forgery and, more importantly, not through a distorted lens.

For policymakers, strategic perception is the "first button" in China-U.S. relations that must be put right. The right strategic perception helps them make well-informed, rather than misinformed, decisions. Otherwise, the bilateral relationship is at risk of being led off course.

For experts and scholars, academic integrity and professionalism are foundational. Sensational assertions at the expense of accuracy, while likely to create temporary splashes, will ultimately be consigned to the dustbin of history. To gain a comprehensive understanding of China, one needs to immerse oneself, understand source materials accurately, analyze them objectively, and draw well-founded conclusions.

For media professionals, truthfulness and objectivity are critical. China is not perfect; it has its own problems and shortcomings, and it welcomes constructive criticism. The media has a responsibility to present a true, multidimensional, and comprehensive picture, instead of focusing on fragments that fit a specific narrative. It should strive to help the public see the facts, not a warped truth.

The road to understanding a civilization different from one's own is long, and takes patience, respect and appreciation. But it is worth the effort.

Yi Fan is a Beijing-based international affairs commentator.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Xinhua News Agency.