Robert Lawrence Kuhn, a U.S. expert on China, also chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, speaks in an interview with Xinhua in Los Angeles, the United States, Oct. 15, 2019. Kuhn urged Westerners on Tuesday to "at least try to understand from China's point of view why Hong Kong is so important" to China. (Xinhua/Gao Shan)
by Julia Pierrepont
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Robert Lawrence Kuhn, a U.S. expert on China, urged Westerners on Tuesday to "at least try to understand from China's point of view why Hong Kong is so important" to China.
Speaking with Xinhua in an interview, Kuhn, also chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, said "I'm no expert on Hong Kong, but I have gotten a better understanding over the years of why Hong Kong is important to China."
Hong Kong's return to China has promoted national pride as its colonization was part of China's "Century of Humiliation', according to the U.S. expert.
The city is also an important entry port for foreign technology and capital to mainland China.
Kuhn noted that despite the rise of Shanghai, Shenzhen and other cities that are pretty much world-class, Hong Kong is still important.
He also noted Hong Kong's key role in the economically vital Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development plan.
Speaking about the Western point of view regarding Hong Kong, Kuhn said there were a lot of strands to the question and no simple answer. "But, violence is never the answer. There is always a better way," he said.
