Guillermo Danino, a Peruvian sinologist who is the author of over two dozen books on China, including an impressive Encyclopedia of Chinese culture, has seen China's transformation firsthand.
"I have witnessed what it's like when a country booms, how it emerges from misery, hunger and lack of employment ... how it really becomes a power," he said.
"They say that never before in the history of the world has a country grown and developed so much in such a short time... (It has been possible) because everyone works, everyone makes the biggest effort they can to develop their environs, their home, their community."
Danino, who has also acted in Chinese films, said the Chinese were hard workers as well as voracious learners. "They are eager to learn, collaborate and communicate," he said. "I think one of the reasons behind the progress is their capacity for work. Apart from using their intelligence, they work hard."