Published on: 2026-11-10
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
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“To understand any country, it is not enough just to read about it; communication between people is essential,” said Jack Perry, chairman of the British Group 48, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua agency on the eve of his trip to China to participate in the 7th World Media Summit. According to him, it is necessary to strengthen interpersonal contacts and practical cooperation, as well as to consistently and deeply cover China in the media, so that more people can learn about the country as it really is, in all its diversity, and that interest in it grows into deeper understanding and trust.
Perry, who has been engaged in developing business cooperation between the UK and China for over 20 years, said that in 1953 his grandfather Jack Perry Sr. visited China as the head of a delegation. This visit made it possible to break the trade blockade imposed by the West against the PRC and sign a trade agreement, marking the beginning of the ‘icebreaker mission.’ Since then, three generations of the Perry family have consecutively contributed to the development of UK-China relations.
According to Perry, there is no shortage of information about China today, but a significant part of it is formed far beyond its borders. It is impossible to accurately convey the realities of a country with a population of 1.4 billion people, a history spanning thousands of years, and profound industrial transformations with just a news headline. “Only by visiting China in person can people form a more concrete idea of it. It is precisely this detailed knowledge of the country that allows for a deeper understanding of it and to maintain this understanding for a long time.”
“Tourism strengthens affection, business cooperation helps earn respect, youth exchanges establish connections for decades, and the media determine whether those who have not traveled themselves learn about this experience,” Perry noted. According to him, these channels should complement each other: what is seen on the internet sparks interest in China, during the trip the impressions exceed expectations, and upon returning home people share this with others. Such eyewitness accounts are often much more convincing than information from organizations.
According to him, many British people who have been to China not only note the convenience of daily life – from paying for purchases to delivery and transportation – but also observe intense competition between companies, become acquainted with technologies, products, and their practical application in business that they had not encountered before. This personal experience often far exceeds their expectations.
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