It is an understatement to say that perceptions of China are complicated, from the ground up to the highest levels. For instance, from our work with African fashion designers, we know that, due to stereotypes about communist societies, many Africans think Chinese people dress the same and have very conservative dress codes. The truth could not be further from this imagining.
Similarly, from our work with African economists, we also know that China is often perceived as a monolithic, homogeneous whole, governed through a highly efficient yet interventionist and top-down system that enables goods, capital and businesses to move seamlessly across the country.
But again, the reality is not the same as the imagination.
While China's ability to coordinate between national and local governments, as well as between the state and society, is indeed strong by global standards, this outcome was not immediate nor was it automatic.
Originally published by African Business.