Erik Solheim, former under-secretary-general of the United Nations said in a recent interview with an American vlogger that, “I think for most people today, people are not aware that China is the most modern place on earth. I mean if we go to the great cities, particularly southern China like Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, they are the most modern cities in the world. There is nothing like that.”

Erik Solheim once served as the under-secretary-general of the United Nations and the Executive Director of the UNEP. He was also the Norway’s Minister of the Environment and International Development. He is a prominent figure in the field of global climate and environment. He has visited China many times since 1984 and witnessed unprecedented changes in human history.

Erik Solheim said that he came to China for the first time in 1984. At that time, China had no skyscrapers or private cars, and most Chinese people wore very simple clothes. But today, China becomes a showroom of modernity.

Erik Solheim added that, “My advice to people is simply just jack up your curiosity. Be a little bit more curious. Don’t of course trust western media which gives a completely wrong impression of China. Go there see, listen to music, watch movies, take an interest in their rapid development of technology in China and of course take an interest in these thousands of years of history, which is so incredibly fascinating, and the students of history cannot find a more wonderful place than China.”