Former World Bank president: China's huge transformation from poverty is amazing

China's transformation in the past decades was fascinating, said Former World Bank president Robert Zoellick during an interview with China Daily during a recent visit to Shanghai.

Recalling his brief visit to China four decades ago, where he encountered a city characterized by cinder blocks and a population dressed in blue and gray, he marveled at the vibrant and bustling nation he later discovered.

Having revisited China over the years, Zoellick said he was impressed by the changes he has seen. "This is a huge change. It took hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. It created great opportunity," he said. 

During his tenure at the World Bank, Zoellick visited various regions of China, apart from major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. "My main takeaway was a very hard-working people that wanted to create a better life and that's something you have to respect and admire."

He mentioned Shenzhen as an example which stroke a sharp contrast to what he had last seen in 1980.

"Within one lifetime, you saw people move from impoverished conditions and sort of just drab clothing to what you see around you. It's a huge transformation. It's amazing."

His interactions with the local people reinforced his belief in the importance of finding common ground in history, culture, and politics.

Zoellick arrived in China in early March to attend the launch of his new book — the Chinese version of The American in the World — A History of US Diplomacy and Foreign Policy.