Join host Carl Zha on the Silk and Steel Podcast for a captivating conversation with Professor Guillen, a seasoned sinologist with decades of deep experience in China. We explore his incredible personal journey, from discovering Chinese characters by "chance" in the 1960s to becoming a leading voice on both classical poetry and modern economic reform.
Professor Guillen shares amazing stories of his early travels to "wild" parts of Indonesia and being among the first Westerners in post-1979 China, including an unforgettable archaeological discovery in Xinjiang. He reveals the 5-year, immersive process behind his groundbreaking new book on Chinese poetry, which combines beautiful French translations, deep historical context, and stunning photography that blends the classical with the modern.
We also dive into his parallel expertise in China's economy, tracing its rapid transformation from the early reforms to its current focus on innovation and AI, offering a unique perspective that challenges conventional Western narratives.
Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:30 - How a Young Student Fell in Love with China by "Chance"04:45 - Adventurous Travels in 1970s Indonesia & Lombok06:50 - Studying China from Hong Kong During the Cold War08:45 - Being Among the First Westerners in China in 197910:30 - The Wild West: Traveling in 1980s Xinjiang12:15 - The Spark: How Poetry Became a 40-Year Passion14:20 - The 5-Year Project: Creating a New Kind of Poetry Book18:10 - The Book's Unique Features: Photos, History & "Living" Poetry20:45 - The Ancient Art of Using Poetry in Daily Communication24:30 - A Personal Example from the "Zuo Zhuan"26:50 - Witnessing 50 Years of China's Transformation29:15 - From Doubt to Fascination: Analyzing China's Economic Reforms32:00 - Studying Border Trade, Drug Trafficking & Innovation35:10 - China's Innovation Policy & Challenging Western Critiques38:00 - The Intersection of a Poetic and an Economic Mind
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