Source: People's Daily
Lin Yi in the recording studio.
Photo courtesy of interviewee
Sarah Marjorie participates in the World Youth Development Forum.
Photo courtesy of interviewee
Ho's Jinyan.
Photo courtesy of interviewee
Dennis Nemak in the making.
Photo by Wang Dan, reporter of this newspaper
In recent years, the structure of Yunnan's road network has been continuously expanded, improved and upgraded. The picture shows the Yunnan Maitreya to Mengzi high-speed railway bullet train, Kunming-Hekou quasi-gauge railway Fuxing bullet train and the century-old meter gauge railway freight train meeting in Mengzi City.
Photo courtesy of China Railway Kunming Bureau Group
As China becomes more connected with the world, more and more foreign young people come to China. Recently, our reporter interviewed four young foreign people and listened to their stories of studying, living and working in China. They are in different cities and have different professions, but they share the rapid development of China and build bridges of friendship between China and foreign countries.
"Better Telling the Story of Africa-China Cooperation"
Reporter Bai Ziwei
"We advocate for youth to take action, solidarity and creativity to advance global development and youth development. In particular, we encourage youth-led proposals and solutions in the important areas of inclusive and equitable quality education, employment and entrepreneurship, digital economy, climate change and green development discussed at this forum. "At the World Youth Development Forum held in Beijing last July, Ugandan youth Sarah Marjorie joined other youth representatives from different countries in launching the International Initiative on Prioritizing Youth.
Sarah is particularly concerned about the Initiative's education component. "In my opinion, the quality of education is very important for the development of young people." Sarah, a beneficiary of educational equity herself, studied for a master's degree in China with the support of a Chinese Government Scholarship after completing her undergraduate studies in Uganda and is currently a PhD candidate in the Global Communication and Governance Program at Communication University of China. "As a Ugandan girl, I couldn't have come this far in my education without this opportunity." Sarah believes that if young people are not well educated, it will be difficult to develop further.
Before coming to study in China, Sara was a reporter for a Ugandan media and reported many stories of cooperation between Ukraine and China. She has long been curious about China, and this opportunity to study abroad has allowed her to finally experience China in real life. Sarah's initial impression of China was of a cute giant panda: "I've written stories about giant pandas, but I haven't seen them with my own eyes. I was very happy when my Chinese friend took me to the Beijing Zoo to see real giant pandas. To this day, Sara is still very excited to think back on this scene.
After arriving in China, Sara continued to tell Ugandan readers what she saw and felt in China. "I want to use the knowledge and technology I have learned in the field of media to better tell the story of Africa-China cooperation." For more than three years, she has focused on writing articles that make readers feel "connected" and resonate, "Many Ugandans do business in China, and they are very interested in news related to Ukrainian-Chinese economic and trade cooperation. In addition, agriculture, education, Ukrainian-Chinese relations and Africa-China relations have also attracted everyone's attention. ”
Sara visited Xing County, Lüliang City, Shanxi Province. There, together with youth representatives from 13 African countries, she visited poverty alleviation factories, learned the art of paper-cutting from local intangible cultural heritage, and experienced the daily life of poverty alleviation cadres... Recalling that visit, the scene of the thriving local poverty alleviation industry touched her deeply, and the green mountains and waters also made her feel familiar. "The hills of Xingxian County, the greenery of the countryside, the corn in the fields... It all reminds me of my hometown. After this visit, I introduced China's experience in industrial poverty alleviation and rural revitalization to my hometown readers, hoping that Uganda could also achieve rapid economic and social development. Sarah said.
In addition to introducing China's development experience to Uganda, Sarah also hopes to help more Chinese understand Africa. Costume culture has always been the focus of her introduction to African traditional culture, "Whenever I wear traditional Ugandan clothing, Chinese friends always surround me and ask me various questions, and their enthusiasm is a great encouragement to me. ”
Sarah believes that with the increasing influence of the Belt and Road Initiative and global development initiatives, many African countries, including Uganda, continue to be inspired by China's development and continue to promote Africa's economic and social development. "I believe that youth will play a more important role in Africa's development, and we will certainly create a better future."
"Ukrainian-Chinese relations, Africa-China relations, poverty reduction, education, child welfare, etc. are all areas I hope to study in depth." In the future, Sarah looks forward to her achievements in learning and contributing to the promotion of Ukrainian-Chinese friendship and the enhancement of Africa-China friendship.
"The development of Yunnan makes my way home easier"
Our reporter Ye Chuanzeng
He Jinyan's WeChat name is "Yanyan Yufei", taken from the Book of Poetry. "'Yan Yan Yufei, Chachi Qiyu' just echoes the word 'Yan' in my Chinese name." He Shi Jinyan talked to reporters with a fluent Chinese. If the reporter had not known her identity in advance, he would not have guessed that she was from Vietnam.
"Dream of the Red Mansion, Journey to the West... I grew up watching Chinese TV dramas. Ho has been interested in China since she was a child, and when she went to university, she chose to major in Han Studies at the University of Humanities and Social Sciences, part of the Hanoi National University in Vietnam. At the same time, she also minored in Chinese as a second major. Near graduation, He Jinyan learned from her teacher that there was an opportunity to study ancient Chinese literature at Yunnan University, which made her excited, "It has always been my dream to study and live in China!" ”
In 2013, after graduating from graduate school, Ho Jinyan moved to Mengzi City, Honghe Hani Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan, which is adjacent to Vietnam, to teach Vietnamese at the School of International Languages and Cultures of Honghe University, where he also made his home. "When I was in college in Vietnam, I heard the story of Mengzi Bridge Mixian in Vietnam, and I never imagined that I would work in the birthplace of Bridge Rice Noodle in the future, this is my fate with China!" She said with a smile. At Honghe College, Ho's research direction is translation. "Translation is the link that promotes exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, and it is very important to be familiar with the cultures of the two countries in order to achieve the 'faith, darty and elegance' of translation." During and after class, Ho often exchanges Vietnamese culture with Chinese students to deepen their understanding of Vietnam.
After living in Yunnan for more than 10 years, He Jinyan has completed the transformation from student to teacher, and has witnessed the development of Mengzi City, which she calls her "second hometown". From urban construction to rural revitalization, railways extend in all directions, and villages are lifted out of poverty and become rich, and everywhere is full of vitality. "In recent years, as the capital of Red River State, Mengzi has become more of a big city." Talking about the changes here, Ho's Jinyan is like a treasure, more and more high-rise buildings are erected, and the transportation is more developed and convenient, "Now, I can use all kinds of takeaway and taxi software, and it is very comfortable and convenient to live here." ”
Mengzi is one of the cities through which the Yunnan section of the Yunnan-Yunnan Railway passes. A few years ago, the entire Yuxi-Hekou railway was opened to traffic. "The development of Yunnan has made my journey home easier. Now back in Hanoi, I can take the bus from Mont Zi to the estuary, then transfer to Hanoi, and get home in the morning and afternoon. At the end of 2021, Ho saw the news of the opening of the China-Laos Railway, and she hoped that Vietnam and China could also open passenger trains as soon as possible, "when it will be faster and more convenient to go home."
In July last year, He participated in the "Love Yunnan iYunnan" short video and essay contest co-sponsored by the Yunnan People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Information Office of the Yunnan Provincial People's Government. She said that she participated in this competition to record her feelings for Yunnan and her feelings about the changes in Yunnan, and at the same time, she also wrote into the article her expectations for the development of Yunnan and the deepening of exchanges between the two peoples. "I am a beneficiary of the educational cooperation between Vietnam and China, and I hope that in the future, the youth of the two countries will continue to strengthen exchanges, enhance understanding, and become ambassadors of cultural exchanges and mutual learning between the two countries." Ho said.
(Written by Wang Jincai)
"I will continue to work and live here!"
Reporter Wang Dan
The blank puller turned. On the turntable, a gray teapot full of pores and "draped" with algae came into view of reporters. In a studio in Xianghu Town, Fuliang County, Jingdezhen City, Jiangxi Province, Dennis Nemak from the 90s "Ocean View Drift" from the United States enthusiastically introduced this work that took two years to complete - "Bright Sea". In Jingdezhen, everyone called him "Mud Ming". "I love the name, it's what I look like to ceramics, it gives a familiar sense of intimacy." He said.
Mud Ming is 31 years old this year, and under the influence of his father, he has developed a strong interest in ceramics since he was a child. In 2013, he visited Jingdezhen for the first time. At that time, in a small village called Sanbao on the outskirts of the city, the "residency program" organized by ceramist Li Jianshen attracted many young foreign artists interested in ceramics, including Mu Diming. Once full of old-fashioned houses and ceramic workshops, Sambao Village has been transformed into an art space that preserves the original meaning of the village. "I was impressed by the short experience of resident pottery and the laid-back village life." He began to pay attention to Jingdezhen, hoping to learn more about the porcelain capital. In the fall of 2015, Mu Diming entered Jingdezhen Ceramic University to study.
At first, Mu Diming lived at Tao University's old campus in Zhushan District, and every time he went to class, he had to ride a motorcycle to his new campus in Xianghu Village, Xianghu Town. In his impression, the road leading from the city to the village was not smooth at that time, and it was often flooded.
Today, the village on the outskirts of the city is becoming more and more beautiful, and the road leading from the village to the city center has been renovated. With the development of the university town and the improvement of the appearance of the village, every household in the village has been connected to a cement road, and street lights have been installed on the road. "There is an old street in the town, and because there are no sewer pipes, the sewage from the residents on both sides is directly discharged into the street." Mu Ming recalls that around 2016, the sewage pipes of Xianghu Village and the sewage system of Tao University were connected, and the newly built sewage treatment plant gave the entire village a new look at the river and lake water system. "Since then, the village has been much cleaner and tidier!"
In his spare time, Mu Ming often walks with friends on the Nanhe River near Xianghu Village. The evening breeze blows, and white-walled and black-tiled buildings are scattered on both sides of the South River. "In the past, the houses here were a little dilapidated due to their age, but after renovation, they became clean and tidy." Walking along the South River, I saw that there were new recreational trails and squares, many young people walking on the beach along the coast, and some people came to camp with tents and barbecue grills. During the days of living in Xianghu Lake, Mu Ming really felt the significant improvement brought by the improvement of infrastructure to the lives of the villagers.
Mu Diming told reporters that in Xianghu, there are several well-known foreign faces from the United States, Italy, Egypt and Russia, including sculptors and historians. Mu Diming is one of the longest-staying foreign friends in the village, "The villagers basically know me, and when we talk to them, our conversation always naturally revolves around ceramics and local food." Recently, he has been busy setting up his new studio, "I really like the artistic atmosphere here, it gives me a lot of creative inspiration." I will continue to work and live here! ”
"Introducing Chinese folk music and traditional musical instruments to a wider audience"
Shi Yuanhao, reporter of this newspaper
"I love Beijing, which blends the modernity of metropolitan life with the graininess of rustic authenticity." Lin Yi, a composer from Singapore, has been studying and working in Beijing for nearly 10 years, and in his spare time, he enjoys exploring the corners of the city by electric car. He enjoys sitting in a café deep in the alley, reading a book or chatting with the locals.
At the age of 15, Lin Yi first came into contact with Sheng, a traditional Chinese musical instrument. In his second year of high school, the school's Chinese orchestra lacked a musician to play Sheng, so he joined with the mentality of trying it out, but unexpectedly discovered his musical talent. Soon, he was up to speed with the whole orchestra and could join the ensemble. Immersed in it for a long time, Lin Yi was fascinated not only by Sheng, but also by the powerful power of traditional Chinese music to move the audience and stimulate surging emotions. He often stayed after rehearsals to borrow the orchestra's conductor's sheet music to try to decipher how the various elements of the score fit together.
After graduating from university, Lin Yi became a music teacher. In 2014, out of consideration for future career prospects, he applied to study for a master's degree at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. During his studies, Lin Yi studied under the famous composer Professor Tang Jianping, "I am good at composing and composing for traditional Chinese instruments, and at the Central Conservatory of Music, I received more professional guidance and continued to improve my skills by challenging myself. ”
Today, Lin Yi is a full-time composer who has participated in the music composition of many popular TV series and TV shows in China, including the tribute play "Ideals Shine on China" to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, as well as the music program "The Voice of China" and the TV series "Warm on Holidays". "I am extremely proud to contribute to these projects." In Lin Yi's view, this is the best example of the concept of harmony and inclusiveness contained in Chinese culture. This also motivates Lin Yi to continuously improve his own creative level, so that his works "connect with the Chinese people from the historical, emotional and rational levels".
The association with traditional Chinese musical instruments not only influenced Lin Yi's career choice, but also witnessed his love story. His wife, a pipa player who grew up in Beijing, collaborated on several occasions using Chinese instruments they specialize in. "Traditional Chinese instruments are a musical medium that I have been familiar with since I was a teenager. In the future, I will continue to develop my music career in China, and together with my wife, I will work to introduce Chinese folk music and traditional instruments to a wider audience. He said.
Lin Yi shared with reporters the gratifying changes he has observed around him over the years in China: "The service industry, including logistics, is the most obvious change, and the rapid development of the express delivery industry makes my life in China extremely convenient. In addition, he said that with the improvement of laws and regulations and the improvement of citizens' education, the Chinese people's awareness of intellectual property protection is also increasing, which in his view will be conducive to the healthy development of the music industry.
In addition to his career in music, Lim Yi is also committed to promoting friendly exchanges between Singapore and China. He has participated in the "China-ASEAN Day" activities as a representative of Singapore, and has also participated in many TV programs organized by some TV stations to promote cooperation and exchanges between Southeast Asian countries and China. "Singapore is an old friend of China, and I will do my best to promote friendship between the two countries through cross-cultural exchanges." Lin Yi said at the end of the interview.