Reflecting on the current international landscape, an Australian expert pointed out a shift toward narrow-minded protectionism in some countries, which he believed was unsustainable in the long run.
SYDNEY, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Globalization works for economic stability and development, and free trade and investment should be embraced over the rise of protectionism, an Australian expert has said.
Professor David Goodman, director of the China Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, shared his insights on the rise of protectionism, globalization, and China's rapid growth in a recent interview with Xinhua.
Reflecting on the current international landscape, Goodman pointed out a shift toward narrow-minded protectionism in some countries, which he believed was unsustainable in the long run.
"Over the past few years, we've seen protectionism was reinvented in various countries," Goodman explained. "But it doesn't work. It leads to economic decline."
Goodman elaborated on how protectionist policies, such as high tariffs, can harm everyday citizens.
"Raising tariffs will drive up the price of goods. And that makes people poorer if they haven't got any," he said. "It certainly won't help the poor. It won't help the ordinary people."
As an observer of globalization, Goodman believed that globalization works for economic stability and development.
The professor noted fears in some Western countries regarding China's economic development, arguing that much of the apprehension stemmed from ignorance about China.
"You can't insist that a country stops growing," Goodman said, adding that regarding China as a threat because of its development was "morally indefensible."
Looking ahead, Goodman emphasized the importance of fostering greater cross-cultural communication, especially among young people.
"The most important long-term strategy is to encourage young people from Australia and China to move in both directions, to get to know each other," he said. "These exchanges create lasting connections for the future."
Drawing from his personal experiences, Goodman highlighted the value of these international interactions. "I've seen it work, and I've been a part of it myself," he said.
For more than four decades, Goodman has lived and worked in various Chinese cities, all in the pursuit of studying China and its development.
Born in the United Kingdom, Goodman's interest in China began as an undergraduate at Manchester University in the 1960s. Since his first China trip in 1976, Goodman has toured various parts of China, including some remote villages, and was especially impressed by the intense variety across the country regarding culture, customs, and local dialects.
In the interview, Goodman also discussed China's economic evolution, noting its shift toward high-tech industries. He believed that this transition marked a significant departure from older models of industrialization. "In China, the car industry, for example, is emerging from high-tech, not old tech. It's a different economy, with a distinct historical trajectory," he observed.
Goodman shared his firsthand reflections on China's growth. "I think China is a learning process in development terms. That's happening and encouraging. It's fascinating to watch it unfold." ■