It is difficult to summarize the fate of German Egon Schueler and China in one sentence.
74-year-old Egon Schuler is a genuine Berlin people. Before his retirement, Egon Schuler ran a company that produced optical equipment and instruments for photography darkrooms, and sold photography equipment to China since the early 21st century. He first visited China in 2009, and since then he visited China on average once or twice a year. Until the outbreak of the new crown epidemic, Egon Schuler and his wife had been to China 13 times, each time they went to different provinces and cities, staying in the local area for about 30 days, the longest time lasted for 60 days. During their stay in China, they rented a car and fully experienced the customs and customs of various provinces and cities in China, and were deeply moved by China's charm. Recently, in an interview with China News Service reporters, Egon Schuler proudly said, "The couple has been traveling in China for more than 360 days!"
The data picture shows Egon Schuler and his wife's home in Berlin.
Since 2009, Egon Schuler has begun to learn Chinese at Berlin Chinese Cultural Center . Starting the following year, he began to learn Tai Chi at the center again. The couple still practices Tai Chi on the streets of Berlin. In the "Me and China" short video and picture competition held by the Chinese Embassy in Germany in 2021, the short video work recording the Egon couple's Tai Chi playing in front of major landmark buildings in Berlin won the first prize.
In recent years, Egon Schuler has been actively active in the field of cultural exchanges between China and Germany. He is an advisor to the Berlin Zhuyuan Dezhong Cultural Exchange Promotion Association and a member of the Berlin "New Silk Road Forum Association". He initiated and organized activities to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the death of John Rabet in Berlin and the former residence of Rabet in Berlin. Egon is also proficient in French and has interviewed former French Prime Minister Raffarine for Chinese media as an interpreter.
Egon Schuler, who is obsessed with Chinese culture, refuses to be called a "Chinese fan". In his opinion, the word "媚" represents blind obsession, and his love for China and Chinese culture is a rational choice based on in-depth understanding. He told reporters that he likes China very much and is ready to introduce the kindness of Chinese people and the beauty of Chinese culture to others. "Even on issues such as Tibet, Xinjiang, and Taiwan, I am willing to discuss with others and use rational arguments to defend my positive view of China."
"Chinese civilization is one of the beacons in human history." Egon Schuler believes that China has nurtured a splendid culture, and countless literati and scholars have been born from ancient times to the present, and the people are good at invention and creation. Chinese civilization, like other great civilizations, has enriched and improved human civilization. "The only problem is that many things about China are not well known enough in Europe."
Speaking of China's changes over the past decade, Egon Schuler was impressed by the prosperity created by China's cities and the great achievements made by the countryside in eradicating hunger and poverty.
In response to the West's approach to the fact that China is still picky on human rights issues from time to time, Egon Schuler bluntly stated that the needs of people around the world have their own differences, but when meeting these needs, there are different limitations due to the specific situation of each society. "Many German politicians' claim that China requires 'protecting human rights' is empty and full of subjective colors."
He pointed out that on the so-called "human rights" issue in Tibet and Xinjiang, these politicians only adopted the one-sided words of some people and kept repeating them, but these people have never been to the place they are talking about at once. "About Xinjiang and Tibet, we can only see it with the truth!"
"Europeans need to go to China to witness the prosperity of Chinese cities and experience the wonderfulness of life with their own eyes." In Egon Schuler's view, compared with the urban life that Europeans are proud of, Chinese cities today are no less inferior.
"In other words, I hope that all Europeans can go to China to take a look, and then they will understand that the relationship between the Chinese and us is like neighbors next to each other." This year coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany in . Egon Schuler hopes that the two countries can carry out more mutual trust cooperation and achieve greater prosperity between the two sides in win-win cooperation, "and also allow the people of both countries to live in harmony in friendship and mutual trust."
