Bangladesh, May 27 -- China: So vast, a quarter of the world's population, but so little understood, so little known. How many people still say this to me? Despite attempts to introduce China into educational curriculums, I still find a dearth of knowledge, even in my Scottish homeland. This I found sad, for ever since my early days with China I was aware of the country's growth and potential influence on the world stage. I also became aware of my need to try and understand more of its complexities.

My knowledge developed mostly through having spent considerable time within the country - 33 years' involvement, with an opportunity to witness close-up its transformation. The nation's progression, for example, from intermediate technology, ...