Paruyr Sinyavsky: China’s “soft power,” from Bruce Lee to global markets: Alpha Interlocutor

In the Alpha Interlocutor podcast, Tigran Kocharyan, Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News, spoke with Paruyr Sinyavsky, a journalist with China Central Television (CCTV), about China’s global rise, its political and economic model, and its geopolitical interests.

One of the main topics was the Chinese economic miracle and its unique system of governance. The guest dispelled the outdated stereotype of “poor-quality Chinese goods,” stressing that the era of cheap knockoffs in the 1980s is over: today China produces goods of every quality level and sets terms according to the client’s budget. The conversation analyzed the key to the Chinese Communist Party’s success and its century-long pragmatism, which was most vividly displayed in the reforms of Deng Xiaoping, in “socialism with Chinese characteristics,” and in the “One Country, Two Systems” policy, applied in the cases of Hong Kong and Taiwan.

China also skillfully uses its culture as “soft power” to enter the international arena. The two discussed the major role of cinema and martial arts (in particular Jackie Chan and Jet Li) in shaping the country’s image. Paruyr, whose interest in China began with his love of Bruce Lee’s work, explained in detail the differences between kung fu and wushu, drawing a clear line between the genuine martial art of the Shaolin monks and modern Chinese marketing PR.

Beijing’s gaze is also fixed on the South Caucasus: the interview analyzed in detail China’s global interests in Armenia. It looked at our country’s logistics and transit potential within the logic of China’s “Middle Corridor,” as well as the key role of introducing Chinese technologies and building infrastructure in the region.

The conversation also touched on China’s domestic market and its technological transformation, using the example of Armenians working there: while there was once enormous demand for foreign specialists (including Armenians) as English teachers, the rapid growth of online education and artificial intelligence has led to tougher conditions today.

Against the backdrop of the global China theme, the journalist also shared his personal story. Born to a Ukrainian father and an Armenian mother with Erzurum roots (Paruyr is the grandson of Isabella Amirkhanyan, Honored Artist of the USSR), he has always considered himself Armenian and is a citizen of the Republic of Armenia. After studying at Brusov University, he lived in France for 11 years, where he completed his education and saw with his own eyes both classical France, founded on European culture, and today’s state, which is ceding its position and influence. After that, his professional path crossed with China, which is rapidly strengthening its position in the world.