Description
“When China awakens, the world will tremble.”
The trade secret behind China’s success—and the question of a “Chinese century”
A special salon evening with
Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Manfred Osten
Diplomat · Cultural Historian · Author · Lawyer · Former Secretary General of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
His official biography confirms his studies in law, philosophy, musicology, and literature, as well as diplomatic postings in France, Cameroon, Chad, Hungary, Australia, and Japan, as well as his tenure as Secretary General of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation from 1995 to 2004.
The topic and question of the evening:
What has China understood that we in the West may have overlooked?
Hardly any other country has changed as rapidly as China in recent decades.
Within just a few decades, it has risen to become one of the world’s leading nations in trade, science, and technology. Hundreds of millions of people have been able to leave poverty behind. Today, China holds a leading position in numerous key and future-oriented technologies.
But what lies behind this extraordinary success?
Capital? Labor? Political and economic structures?
Or does a crucial key lie in a third factor whose importance the West has long underestimated?
Knowledge.
Manfred Osten describes it as a crucial part of the “trade secret behind China’s success.”
This evening in the fireplace room of the Ahlbecker Hof, therefore, is not merely about observing China from afar. It is about different conceptions of education, knowledge, learning, motivation, and innovation.
And about a question that directly concerns us as well:
What can we learn from China?
吃苦
chī kǔ – “to eat bitterness”
Two Chinese characters that conceal an entire mindset.
Chī kǔ can be literally translated as “to eat bitterness.” It refers to the willingness to accept hardships, deprivations, and difficulties when they are necessary to achieve a long-term goal.
Manfred Osten will devote special attention to this idea this evening.
Perhaps this is precisely where part of the mindset lies that made China’s rapid rise possible in the first place.
And perhaps this idea compels us to take a fresh look at our own Western society as well.
An exceptional guest: Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Manfred Osten
Manfred Osten is a lawyer, diplomat, cultural historian, and author, and is considered one of Germany’s leading figures bridging the gaps between culture, academia, and international dialogue.
His perspective on China is not solely the result of scholarly research.
It is based on personal experience.
As a German diplomat, Manfred Osten spent seven years in East Asia. This time allowed him to gain firsthand insights into Asian societies, ways of thinking, and cultural traditions.
He gained another crucial perspective through his work for the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, where he served as Secretary General from 1995 to 2004.
The foundation is one of Germany’s leading institutions for international scholarly exchange. In this role, Osten became deeply familiar with international scholarly networks and, consequently, with the development and significance of the Chinese scientific community.
His engagement with China therefore bridges several worlds:
the experience of a diplomat,
the perspective of a cultural historian,
international scientific exchange,
and the curiosity of an author.
In addition, Manfred Osten has devoted decades to studying German and European cultural history. A particular focus of his work is Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the question of what Goethe’s thought still has to say to our present day.
Osten is the author of numerous books and essays and has published several works on Goethe through Wallstein Verlag.
He has received multiple awards and been honored with honorary doctorates for his scholarly and cultural contributions.
Thus, the speaker we will encounter this evening is not a traditional commentator on China.
Rather, he is a man who bridges diplomacy, academia, and culture and views China from a perspective that goes far beyond economic indicators and geopolitical headlines.
An Evening Between China and the West
Manfred Osten does not merely ask why China is successful.
He contrasts this success with Western society.
How do we handle knowledge?
What value do we place on education and learning?
How much effort are we willing to accept?
How do scientific progress and innovation arise?
And what are the consequences for Europe?
Thus, a lecture on China becomes, at the same time, a reflection on our own society.
An evening that aims to explain—but is also meant to challenge, provoke, and spark conversation.
Are we witnessing the dawn of a Chinese century?
And if so:
What does that mean for us?
“When China awakens, the world will tremble.”
Attributed to Napoleon
Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Manfred Osten
Friday, September 18, 2026 · 7:00 p.m.
Fireplace Room
SEETELHOTEL Ahlbecker Hof
We look forward to an extraordinary salon evening full of knowledge, perspectives, and stimulating conversations.
Friday, September 18, 2026 · 7:00 p.m.
Fireplace Room · SEETELHOTEL Ahlbecker Hof
Payment
For paid events, you can either pay directly on site or we will add the amount to your bill.
Practical information
- Meeting point
- Reception
- Address
- Dünenstraße 47, Heringsdorf
- Bookable
- Yes
Upcoming dates (leaf pages)
Each date is a separate Event with its own URL and JSON-LD graph.
- Friday, September 18, 2026, 07:00 PM – 08:30 PM
https://giggle.tips/en/experience/e2638ad0-c924-421d-8f16-d277be85c3b2/ein-abend-mit-dr-dr-h-c-mult-manfred-osten-wenn-china-erwacht-wird-die-welt-erzittern-napoleon/2026-09-18--19-00/ai · JSON · Human page