For international friends living in Xi'an
Xi'an is an ancient city with a long history and splendid culture
Yesterday, when they walked into the Xi'an International Port Area
Learned about the China-Europe express train Chang'an to Xi'an
To countries and regions along the "Belt and Road"
Surprised after the development changes brought about
They have lamented that Xi'an is also so "eye-catching" in terms of foreign trade
Marvel: from containers to assembly lines
On February 24th, the activity of "taking the Chang'an and feeling the gravitational pull of the West" was officially held for international friends to enter the Xi'an International Port Area. The event was hosted by the Information Office of Xi'an Municipal People's Government, organized by Xinhua News Agency News Information Center, Xi'an Newspaper Media Group, Xi'an City Culture Communication Studio, and co-organized by Xi'an International Port District.
Nearly 20 international friends were invited to participate, including foreign teachers and international students from Xi'an universities, international volunteers who participated in Xi'an's fight against the epidemic, video bloggers who recorded the development and changes of Xi'an with footage, entrepreneurs engaged in cross-border e-commerce trade, and businessmen who opened gourmet restaurants from the United States, Germany, Egypt, Croatia, Kazakhstan, India, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, the Czech Republic, Russia and other more than ten countries. For this activity, international friends are full of interest, and many people have made time to rush to the meeting place at 8 o'clock in the morning and leave happily.
Xi'an International Port Area is an important international dry port of the "Belt and Road" and a stable trade channel to promote the development of domestic and international markets. The first stop of the event was to visit Xi'an International Port Station, the departure station of the China-Europe Express Chang'an and the destination of the return train. When a large number of containers and trucks enter the field of vision, the busy and orderly scene of cargo transportation amazes international friends, who have praised Xi'an as not only a historical and cultural city, but also doing a very good job in trade. Visiting an electronic technology company in the "Belt and Road" Lingang Industrial Park, when seeing the high-tech on-board TV and refrigerator production line, an international friend said that if the Electronic Technology Products of Xi'an were shipped to his hometown for sale with the help of the China-Europe Express Chang'an, it would be very popular.
Happy: Seconds to change "Chef" to make biangbiang noodles
When visiting Xi'an Aiju Grain and Oil Industry Group, when learning that the flour here came from Kazakhstan, several international students from Central Asian countries excitedly said that relatives and friends in their hometown also ate the same flour! After saying that, they also took a group photo together in the oil production display workshop. Two foreign teachers from Eastern Europe said that they had also purchased the company's products in Xi'an, and as consumers, they were very happy to visit the company.
In the restaurant here, international friends also become "chefs" in seconds, one person sets a table in front of him, puts on a green apron, puts on a yellow hat, and experiences making biangbiang noodles: with the help of the staff, they grab the kneaded semi-finished noodles and throw them on the "board" several times, and for a time there is a crisp "popping" sound in the hall. After the water in the pot has boiled, bring to a boil, then add the green vegetables and bring to a boil, finally fish into a large bowl, pour the seasonings and tomatoes and eggs or fried sauce, and a bowl of fragrant biangbiang noodles is ready. Due to living in Xi'an all year round, international friends skillfully use chopsticks, eating noodles while saying: "Delicious, fragrant!" "Shhhhhhhhhh
The last stop is to visit a well-known cross-border e-commerce company in the port area and hold a Chinese and foreign cultural salon here. The head of the company is named Yuan Chaohui, who and his Kazakh wife Anita used the Chang'an to build a cross-border e-commerce sales platform, and their successful entrepreneurial story won the praise of the guests present. After that, a number of international friends took to the stage to share their personal feelings of living, working, starting a business and studying in Xi'an, and told their respective "Xi'an stories". One day of activities, everyone's outstanding feeling is "full of harvest".
On February 24th, the international friends of "taking the Chang'an and feeling the gravitational pull of the West" walked into the Xi'an International Port Area - Sino-foreign Cultural Exchange Salon was successfully held in Shaanxi Silk Road City Holding Group Co., Ltd.
Yuan Chaohui, head of Shaanxi Silk Road City Holding Group Co., Ltd., took the lead in sharing his transnational love with his wife Anita, as well as the experience of the company carrying the "Belt and Road" hitchhiker and opening up cross-border e-commerce between China and Kazakhstan. Fang Longfei, general manager of the Kazakhstan Park of Xi'an Aiju Grain and Oil Industry Group, told the story of Aiju Group's gorgeous butterfly transformation in recent years by riding the Chang'an. At the scene, Yuan Chaohui also conducted a video connection with Assell, a local employee in Kazakhstan. Axel introduced the overseas warehouse of "Silk Road City", and the rich variety of goods and fast logistics distribution opened the eyes of the guests.
Subsequently, a number of foreign friends present shared their indissoluble relationship with the "Belt and Road" and Xi'an.
"Xi'an has a very good future"
——Ai Xiaoying, Ph.D., School of Liberal Arts, Northwest university, Egypt
Ai Xiaoying
As a "post-90s", Ai Xiaoying can speak fluent Chinese, which she says is because she "really likes China, likes Xi'an, and learns everything related to here with her heart." Because she liked it, she took the initiative to act as a messenger to spread Shaanxi literature, and translated many works such as "Selected Essays of Jia Pingwa" into Arabic.
Learn about China, starting in Xi'an
——Telford from India, a restaurateur
Telford
DevRaturi, we're no strangers. During the epidemic in Xi'an, the article published by People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, Global Times, Reference News, etc., "I don't regret leaving China in 2020", made the story of Indian Defu in Xi'an spread far-reaching.
"I'm already an old Xi'an native!" Defu told everyone that he has lived in Xi'an for 7 years, and his two children look very "Indian", but their habits such as conversation, diet, and clothing are very "Chinese" and "Xi'an". After traveling to more than 20 cities in China, he finally chose to settle in Xi'an, he opened the first "Sino-Indian Cultural Exchange Restaurant" in Datang West City, mentioning the original intention, he said: "With the restaurant as the carrier, build a platform for cultural display and exchange, promote Indian cuisine, yoga, movies, etc., so that Xi'an citizens can experience the exotic style of India at their doorstep." Talking about the future, he said that his dream is to open a Chinese cultural exchange restaurant in India, called "The Great Wall", the hall is built with models to build the shape of the Great Wall, and a statue of Bruce Lee practicing Chinese kung fu is placed at the door... "I want more Indians to start from the history of Xi'an and understand Chinese culture." ”
In Xi'an, live a wonderful life
——Karen is a teacher from Xidian University in the Czech Republic
"My Shaanxi dialect is very loud!" At the scene, Karen opened with a fluent Shaanxi Western dialect. She came to Xi'an in 2007, "I speak Mandarin in class, students always say they don't understand, I speak Shaanxi dialect, they shout 'OK'!" Her "heartfelt words" caused a burst of laughter from the audience. In the more than ten years of living in Xi'an, she has lived out her most wonderful self. She loves travel, food, fitness, "carrying 50 kilograms of potatoes is a matter of minutes!" "She also loves fashion, drinking tea, climbing mountains, listening to music... Because of her love of various sports, she appeared on camera to shoot the 14th Games promotional film of "Ancient City, Modern Sports", which was popular at home and abroad.
"Xi'an is my home"
—Vittomira Lonchar from Xi'an Eurasian College, Croatia
Vitomira Lonchar, a former Croatian actor, came to Xi'an with her husband in 2016 and currently teaches at the Eurasian College in Xi'an. "After I retired, I wanted to come to China to seek something meaningful, and I felt that the culture of Xi'an could satisfy me, so we came here." At the salon, Vitomira Loncar shared with everyone the story of her and her husband's "search for meaning" in Xi'an, "Now I think I have found it – that is, to use my experience to help students grow." At school, Vittomyla Loncar encourages students to be bold, to experiment and to experience. Last year, Chinese, she practiced hard and challenged her to perform dramas with Chinese to demonstrate to the students.
In the sharing, Vittomyla Longchar specifically mentioned "harmony and difference", emphasizing that different identities and different cultures should respect each other, "In this regard, I feel a lot in Xi'an, I encountered many difficulties when I first came, but colleagues and friends are friendly and help me." Vittomira Loncar also pays special attention to international exchange activities, hoping to have the opportunity to try to do something to promote the friendship between China and Croatia.
"Let children everywhere know about Xi'an"
——Wang Debao is from the United States, principal of Xi'an International School
Wang Debao
American Wang Debao came to Xi'an in 2001 and taught at Northwest A&F University and Xi'an Jiaotong University, and was invited to Xi'an International School as president.
He sighed that the longer he was a principal, the more he felt that he had a heavy responsibility, "Children are our future and our hope." I often wonder, what can Xi'an International School do for children? "In the past 20 years, this international school has taken into account the needs of children from different countries with a flexible curriculum, so that children around the world can learn more about Xi'an and make many good friends in Xi'an." Wang Debao said proudly: "I am honored that the school can be respected and praised by Xi'an International Family and educators. He said that in the future, he will create a better learning and living environment for children.
Xi'an people have a calm and atmospheric personality
—Dubkova Orika, a teacher at Xi'an University of Foreign Chinese, Russia
Dubkova Orika
"The local culture of Xi'an is very rich and rich, not only one, two or three scenic spots, but also many distinctive folk cultures here." Dubukova Orika specially crafted a PPT to share with everyone at the salon. She showed the cognitive Xi'an according to regional characteristics, historical factors, and international perspectives, and believed that the personality of Xi'an people has the characteristics of calm and atmospheric; and a group of young people with higher cultural level, dare to innovate and are diligent in thinking have become the representatives of the new Xi'an people.
"The future will firmly take root in Xi'an"
——Wang Gang volunteer from Xi'an International School, USA
"I am a foreigner, I love China, I love Xi'an!" Wang Gang, also from the United States, also shared his indissoluble relationship with Xi'an.
In 2010, he and his wife set foot on Chinese soil with two young children. "Our whole family loves the city of Xi'an." His wife is a teacher at Xi'an International School, mainly teaching high school mathematics including algebra, calculus, geometry and other courses, she is conscientious and responsible, quite praised by students and parents. "As a volunteer, I myself actively participate in the maintenance of classrooms, equipment and facilities of Xi'an International School, and sometimes teach carpentry courses to students, and have been awarded the title of 'Excellent Volunteer' by the school many times." Mentioning himself, Wang Gang became shy. He said that there are many foreigners in the community where he lives, and he usually takes the initiative to undertake translation, communication and other related matters in the community, "In the future, I will firmly take root in Xi'an and will do my best to maintain the harmony of the community."
"Xi'an gives me a sense of belonging"
—Marcus Meyer from Germany, video blogger
"When I first came to Xi'an in 2006, I immediately fell in love with the city." German Marcus Meyer said that in 2017, he finally got his wish and settled in Xi'an with his wife. His wife is a professor at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University. "Xi'an gave me a sense of belonging." Because of his love for the city, Marcus and several like-minded foreign friends co-founded VivaXian, "We have a film crew and are equipped with professional equipment such as high-end cameras and drones, recording the bits and pieces of life in Xi'an through video shooting." "A promo film shot by their team was played on the big screen. Under the lens, it is the magnificent ancient charm precipitated by the history of Xi'an's thousands of years of civilization, and the modern style of Xi'an as an international metropolis. Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell and Drum Tower, City Wall, Xi'an Olympic Sports Center... It vividly interprets the history and humanities, fashion and modernity, inclusiveness and diversity, innovation and vitality of Xi'an.
Experience the breadth and profundity of TCM
——Ma Wenxuan is a graduate student from Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Kazakhstan
Ma Wenxuan
At the end of 2021, during the epidemic in Xi'an, Ma Wenxuan, who is an epidemic prevention volunteer, touched many people because of a sentence of "I am a foreigner, but not an outsider", and President Xi Jinping mentioned him in his speech at the video summit on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the five Central Asian countries.
"I like Xi'an, I like Chinese medicine." When participating in the salon sharing, although he was a little shy, Ma Wenxuan did not have any reservations when expressing his love for Xi'an and Chinese medicine. He said that he has been in China for 8 years, and in these 8 years, he has a deep feeling about Xi'an that the speed of development is particularly fast, "I remember when we first came to the school, the surrounding areas were quiet villages, and in just a few years, the surrounding high-rise buildings have been connected into pieces." Not only that, but the traffic has also changed a lot. In the past, there were only buses to Xi'an City, but now, the subway has been repaired to the school gate, which is particularly convenient for travel! Ma Wenxuan also talked about his relationship with Chinese medicine. He said: "My father is an acupuncturist, I grew up watching him use TCM to help the patients around him relieve their pain, personally experienced the profundity of TCM, and especially wanted to engage in TCM rehabilitation and treatment in the future through systematic study in China and promote TCM culture." ”
Text: Xi'an City Culture Communication Studio Xiao Haibo Xue Wen Wang Weijia
Pictured: Shang Hongtao, all-media reporter of Xi'an Newspaper
Edit: Xiao Lu
Audit: Tianyi, Wenyue
Producer: Xi'an Newspaper Media Group