David W. Ferguson,Born in April 1956 in Scotland, United Kingdom, graduated from the University of Edinburgh School of Law. He first came to China in 2004 and became a journalist for China.org.cn in 2008. In 2009, he was appointed as an English editor and author at the Foreign Languages Press. In 2021, he was awarded the Chinese Government Friendship Award, and in 2022, he became the Honorary Chief English Editor of the Foreign Languages Press.
David Ferguson
"I've been in China for 18 years, but I feel like I haven't aged a day. There's still so much I want to do," laughed David W. Ferguson, Honorary Chief English Editor of the Foreign Languages Press, during an interview with Global People.
At 68, Ferguson still carries the drive of a young Scottish man. Despite his busy editorial work, he always makes time to travel and conduct research across China. This habit was formed during his years as a journalist: "There' s always something happening in China. If you want to understand China, you need to go to the frontline of its development and see for yourself."
As an international communication expert, Ferguson is not only a "bridge builder" but also a "breaker of ice." In his view, to break through the information bubble constructed by western media, China cannot rely solely on "reasoning" but must also understand how to use "storytelling" effectively: "There's an old Chinese saying: 'Enlightening with reason, touching with emotion.' Some western media manipulate public emotions to foster bias against China, so we must take targeted action, reach readers' hearts, and break the ice of prejudice by telling true, touching stories."
As a British, what drives Ferguson's persistent dedication to telling China's stories?
"While The West Sees A Threat, China Sees An Opportunity."
On October 22, the 16th BRICS summit was held in Kazan, Russia. This marked the first in-person meeting of the BRICS leaders since the expansion of the group. Ferguson paid close attention to the summit.
"As China's national strength grows, it is playing an increasingly important role on the world stage. From the BRICS organization to the Belt and Road Initiative, and the emission reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement, China has made significant efforts to promote the common good of the world. However, while China strives to build a community with a shared future for mankind, western media has become increasingly hostile toward China. Their hypocritical attitude is infuriating," said Ferguson.
In Ferguson's view, the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind is an idea with Chinese characteristics. "Unlike many political slogans in the western system that change frequently, the community with a shared future for mankind has been a stable and enduring concept since its inception. It reflects a fundamental principle of China's international relations: humanity can transcend the 'zero-sum game' and achieve win-win outcomes."
Before coming to China, Ferguson had worked in many western countries and was very familiar with the biases and logic in western media communication. "When many western elites look at the world, they only see the threat that developing countries pose to western hegemony. When the Chinese look at the world, they see opportunities. China not only seizes these opportunities but also shares its success. This is because China believes that the success of other countries can also promote its own development."
"This is the fundamental difference between China and the West: when western elites see a pie, they are determined to take the biggest piece for themselves. China, on the other hand, thinks about making the pie bigger and bigger, so that in the end, everyone can have a larger share. This is the essence of the community with a shared future for mankind: the world develops and progresses together, with no one left behind. I believe in the concept of a community with a shared future, and I hope that more people around the world can come to understand China," said Ferguson.
Breaking down the "wall of hostility" constructed by western media is no easy task. Ferguson believes that, in order to achieve this goal, China must identify the right audience for dialogue. "Many western elites are inherently hostile toward China. I believe speaking with them is a waste of time, as they will never listen to China's perspective."
In this context, Ferguson argues that the target audience for "the story of China" should be the general public in the West. "When observing social media, I've noticed that more and more people are questioning the narratives put forth by mainstream western media. They are numerous, but they have no voice in the public discourse and no unified platform, making them easy to break apart. What China needs to do is engage directly with these people, helping them realize that their doubts about the mainstream media are valid."
In 2020, Ferguson was recording the English-language audio program for the third volume of the Governance of China.
How can effective communication with western audiences be achieved? Ferguson believes that "storytelling" is a great starting point. "Recently, the Chinese game Black Myth: Wukong became a global sensation, and even I, an 'outsider,' knew about this masterpiece. Journey to the West is a fantastic story, but to be honest, when I first read it, I couldn't finish it in one go. The book contains too many complex cultural elements and metaphors, making it a difficult read for those unfamiliar with Chinese culture. But Black Myth: Wukong reinterpreted Journey to the West in the 'language of games' that players can understand, making young people around the world fall in love with Chinese fantasy stories. This shows that for China's stories to go global, they must first meet the needs of contemporary international audiences, especially young people."
Ferguson said, "Since Chairman Mao's time, there has been an emphasis on avoiding formalistic writing. He advocated for a sincere and accessible writing style that the common people could understand. This has also been my principle in writing and editing. I hope to help China break free from the stereotypes constructed by western media in the public discourse and tell China's stories in a language that western citizens can understand."
On September 30, 2021, Ferguson was awarded the Chinese Government Friendship Award for his outstanding contributions to cultural exchange between China and other countries.
From Scotland to Wenchuan
When it comes to Ferguson's own story in China, it all starts with his love story.
In his youth, Ferguson excelled academically and was admitted to the prestigious University of Edinburgh's Law School. However, he quickly realized that he didn't want to pursue a career in law. After graduation, Ferguson made a decisive "career shift" and became an international consultant.
"For me, it was a fulfilling yet intense period of life. I worked in various industries and lived in many countries, which allowed me to master several languages. A couple of years ago, I had a French interview. Our French editor happened to be unavailable, so I conversed with the reporter in French for quite a while. I was quite pleased with myself, feeling that my 'skills were still sharp,'" Ferguson said proudly.
After traveling the world, Ferguson returned to his hometown in Scotland and co-founded a media company with his brother. At this point, he thought he would settle down in Scotland, but life is always full of surprises: "One time, I went to visit a friend, and when I knocked on the door, I was surprised to find that it was a Chinese woman who answered. She was an international student renting a room in my friend's house. We instantly hit it off, had a great conversation, and quickly fell in love."
Ferguson reflected, "This might be what the Chinese call 'Yuan Fen'，the mysterious connection that brought us together. I always think that if I hadn't gone to my friend's house that day, I might have missed meeting my wife. I probably wouldn't be in China today."
In 2004, Ferguson and his wife first visited Jilin in China to meet his in-laws. "I had never been to China before, only knew cities like Beijing and Shanghai. After arriving in Jilin, I found China to be a very warm country. I didn't feel any sense of 'cultural shock' at all."
In 2006, Ferguson decided to close his company in Scotland and move to China with his wife. "As a football fan, I worked as a football agent in China and did many other things. But deep down, I longed for a job where I could truly 'leave something behind.'" In 2008, Ferguson joined China.org.cn, returning to his roots as a journalist.
Shortly after joining, Ferguson received a life-changing assignment: reporting on the Wenchuan earthquake. "On May 12, a colleague mentioned that there seemed to be tremors in the office, but I didn't pay much attention. Soon after, news of the Wenchuan earthquake flooded in from all directions. I was immediately assigned to the earthquake reporting team and sent to Wenchuan."
In Wenchuan, Ferguson witnessed many heartbreaking scenes. Yet, he held back his grief and continued reporting. At the same time, he also saw hope in the people of the disaster-stricken area: "During an interview at the evacuation center in Mianyang Sports Stadium, I noticed a group of children gradually gathering around me. They were likely seeing a 'foreign reporter' for the first time and were very excited. I chatted and played with them. We took a photo, and you could see the children smiling, as well as the adults nearby. It's hard to imagine that this photo was taken in a place that had just experienced such a devastating earthquake. This experience showed me the resilience and optimism of the Chinese people in the face of disaster."
In May 2008, David Ferguson(left) interacts with local children in Mianyang after the Wenchuan earthquake.
After returning from Wenchuan, Ferguson participated in several major reporting assignments, including the Beijing Olympics. "This experience made me determined to tell real, accurate, and positive China's stories."
At the end of 2009, Ferguson joined the Foreign Languages Press. "When I was a journalist, the work pace was 'race against time.' At the Foreign Languages Press, the pace is slower, and I have more opportunities to engage in deeper editing and research work."
At the Foreign Languages Press, Ferguson primarily worked on editing important Chinese political documents and English versions of the White Papers of the Chinese Government. "It' s a highly challenging job. Chinese political books are profound and aimed at explaining the government's philosophy and the significant work it is carrying out. The way these ideas are expressed is very rooted in Chinese culture. Our task is to present these texts in a way that western readers can more easily understand."
Ferguson said the most significant achievement in his career was his involvement in editing the English versions of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China Volumes 1 to 4. "I' ve read the English version of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China five times. This work has given me a deeper understanding of China's socialist system and ideology. It is one of the things I am most proud of in my more than ten years of living and working in China."
"Prosperity Comes from Hard Work."
As the saying goes, "Read thousands of books, travel thousands of miles." While Ferguson tells China's stories through writing, he has also left his personal mark on the land of China.
During his 18 years in China, Ferguson has completed several documentary works, with China's Rural Revitalization: The Gansu Experience being one of the ones he is most proud of.
"In 2019, I made my first research trip to Longnan, Gansu. The speed and results of rural development there were truly astonishing, which inspired me to write a documentary book about Gansu. Over the next few years, I returned to Gansu several times for further research, eventually completing China's Rural Revitalization: The Gansu Experience."
David Ferguson(Left) doing field research in Gansu Province.
In the book, Ferguson focuses on the story of Yuangudui Village in Weiyuan County, Dingxi City. Situated at an elevation of 2,440 meters and surrounded by mountains on three sides, the village was once one of the most impoverished areas in Gansu. The old saying, "Dingxi is the poorest place in the world, and Yuangudui is the poorest place in Dingxi," reflects the deeply heartbreaking poverty that once defined the village.
China's battle against poverty became a turning point in Yuangudui Village's transformation. The State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development designated Weiyuan County for direct assistance, with coordinated efforts from the provincial, municipal, county, and township governments, along with the establishment of a dedicated village support team. Over several years, Yuangudui completed crucial infrastructure projects, such as road paving, the renovation of unsafe houses, and the installation of household water systems. The days of being "the poorest place in Dingxi" are now firmly in the past.
When Ferguson visited Yuangudui Village, it had been nearly two years since the village had officially got rid of poverty. "The villagers now have new homes. On the vacant land to the west of the village, a solar power station has been built. In addition to providing electricity for the village, surplus power is transmitted to the Ningxia power grid, generating an annual income of 400,000 yuan for the village. The village grows herbs and mushrooms, and raises 350 sika deer, balancing the production of specialty agricultural products with tourism development."
In Ferguson's eyes, the success of Yuangudui Village is a microcosm of China's poverty alleviation efforts. "China's achievements in poverty alleviation have been realized step by step through the hard work and ingenuity of countless grassroots officials and ordinary people. Village officials conduct thorough investigations into the circumstances of each impoverished household, identify the root causes of their poverty, and develop tailored poverty alleviation plans. And in China, there are millions of such dedicated village officials. When you see so many people working together toward the shared goal of poverty alleviation, you understand the key to China's success."
Ferguson believes that China's comprehensive victory in the battle against poverty reflects the advantages of its system. "In the West, some people assume that prosperity can be achieved through voting alone. But in reality, prosperity comes from hard work. Since the reform and opening-up, China's success has relied not only on top-down strategic decision-making but also on grassroots diligence and perseverance. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, countless determined and capable individuals have overcome immense challenges, ultimately shaping the China we see today."
Ferguson's China's stories are far from over. With a smile, he told the reporter about his next plan: to visit Gaoyou in Jiangsu Province and document its flood control efforts. "To me, that' 's the kind of story that could be turned into a blockbuster film. Stay tuned for some exciting updates!"
（Intern Hou Fangying contributed to this story.）
Editor:Zheng Aotian
