Paving a win-win path for China and the West

In a recent interview with China Daily's Global Lens, Alan Macfarlane, professor of social anthropology at the University of Cambridge, noted that the West has had a strong tendency toward binary thinking since ancient Greek times. In his view, this way of thinking profoundly distorts geopolitical and individual relations.

"It isn't black and white and simplified. Collaboration and cooperation is good for everyone in facing major problems," he said. Macfarlane added that communication, travel, friendship, and better education of our children could help create a world free from binary opposition.