Getting China Right

During the Shanghai program of VIVES University of Applied Sciences, on the 23rd of March 2026, Dr. Richard van Ostende delivered a keynote titled “Getting China Right”.

As a part of their curriculum, a delegation from the Belgian province of West Flanders, including over 200 students from VIVES University’s business and technology programs visited China.

The keynote aimed at providing a structured framework to support a more informed interpretation of China’s ongoing developments. Moreover, the presentation focused on better understanding China beyond a Western analytical lens, highlighting key structural differences such as the distinction between nation-states and civilization-states, the balance between collectivism and individualism, and the role of the state in economic and social development.

It also covered China’s Two Centenary Goals as a long-term development framework through 2049, alongside reflections on the country’s economic trajectory. In addition, the keynote addressed the 15th Five-Year Plan and interim objectives toward 2035, positioning these within China’s broader strategic policy framework.

The keynote was well received by the audience and sparked interest and curiosity among both students and professors. Furthermore, it established a solid theoretical foundation for the remainder of their study trip in China.