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 – Introduction
01:30 – How a Young Student Fell in Love with China by “Chance”
04:45 – Adventurous Travels in 1970s Indonesia & Lombok
06:50 – Studying China from Hong Kong During the Cold War
08:45 – Being Among the First Westerners in China in 1979
10:30 – The Wild West: Traveling in 1980s Xinjiang
12:15 – The Spark: How Poetry Became a 40-Year Passion
14:20 – The 5-Year Project: Creating a New Kind of Poetry Book
18:10 – The Book’s Unique Features: Photos, History & “Living” Poetry
20:45 – The Ancient Art of Using Poetry in Daily Communication
24:30 – A Personal Example from the “Zuo Zhuan”
26:50 – Witnessing 50 Years of China’s Transformation
29:15 – From Doubt to Fascination: Analyzing China’s Economic Reforms
32:00 – Studying Border Trade, Drug Trafficking & Innovation
35:10 – China’s Innovation Policy & Challenging Western Critiques
38:00 – The Intersection of a Poetic and an Economic Mind