So it is up to the Chinese people themselves - rather than Western media reports - to change China's image around the world.

When traveling abroad, Chinese should disseminate information about China. We Chinese must rely on ourselves to improve our country's image.

At present, there are several specious views about the Chinese: that Chinese officials are too stilted on diplomatic occasions, that the Chinese media does a poor job in disseminating China's views abroad, and that the Chinese people still lack self-confidence as citizens of an increasingly powerful nation. Some also think that a nouveau riche mentality harms China's image.

The truth is the exact opposite: The Chinese people have never been so confident. Today, more and more Chinese feel on an equal footing with other nations in the international family, with no special rights or obligations. This kind of attitude, neither humble nor arrogant, is the hallmark of a real power.

We are now in a totally different era from that of the Cold War, so there is no need to resort to an aggressive stance.

For now, China needs to carry out its social reforms, and to be more pro-active in responding to criticism by Western media.

Chinese scholars should also refute the criticisms of Western academics.

Although we are open to different points of view, we should respond to wrong opinions. Only better communications can remove misunderstandings and change China's image.

Common Chinese should not take a few foreigners' opinions about China as the views of the entire Western world. Some Western media use a few individual Chinese to represent the entire country. We should avoid the same mistake.

The author is professor and director of the social development research center at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law.

(China Daily 04/23/2010 page9)