Nigeria Times

By Phoebe Haines

Art is a universal language that transcends national boundaries and cultural barriers, connecting our diverse world. Art can be individual and unique, and yet art speaks to us all in a common language, serving as a bridge for mutual learning across different countries and civilizations.

I am a mezzo-soprano opera singer from the United Kingdom and my connection with China began with a set of performances eight years ago. In 2016 I was invited to join iSING! Suzhou International Young Artists Festival in East China’s Jiangsu Province. The iSING! Festival is the first program of its kind dedicated to the promotion of Putonghua, or Mandarin Chinese, as a “lyric language”: in other words, a language of opera. The festival was founded by world-famous Bass and star of the Metropolitan Opera, Tian Haojiang. The festival offers world-class vocal training to young talent from China and other countries, and has provided an opportunity for singers from all over the world to showcase their skills and musicality by singing in Chinese.

The year 2016 marked my first trip to China and I discovered my love for the Chinese language at this festival. While it would be another several years before I began teaching myself Chinese characters, from 2016 I started my Chinese language journey by learning to sing Chinese songs. Having invested in three years of full-time Chinese language study at Tsinghua University in Beijing from 2020-2023, I am now happily studying for a doctoral degree at the School of Arts in Peking University where my research interests lie in the study of Kunqu Opera. Learning Chinese music has provided a way for me to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, which I find incredibly valuable.

In January 2023 I had the privilege of performing in Echoes of Ancient Tang Poems, a concert at the Lincoln Center in New York, together with artists from China and all over the world. The songs we performed were set to the texts of Tang Dynasty (618-907) poems, allowing our audiences an insight into the charm of ancient Chinese poetry.

For this performance, we were lucky enough to collaborate with the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra. As many readers may be aware, in September 1973 the orchestra themselves embarked on a historic China tour: That tour was a truly ice-breaking moment in China-US relations as the Philadelphia Orchestra was the first US orchestra to visit the country since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

At our concert of January 2023, I felt that that instant too was a special and historical moment in time, a connection of East and West and a fusion of tradition and modernity, all spoken through the language of art. One of the songs performed that night was set to the text of Sending off Du Shaofu by Tang Dynasty poet Wang Bo. “Distance cannot separate the hearts of true friends”: This timeless line epitomized the core concept of our concert.

There have been cultural exchanges between East and West dating back many hundreds of years. At Stratford-upon-Avon stands a copper sculpture of William Shakespeare and Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) playwright Tang Xianzu, known as “the Shakespeare of Asia.” This sculpture was erected in 2017. These two outstanding representatives of Eastern and Western theater never met, but both happened to pass away in the same year of 1616. Over 400 years later, the two playwrights are immortalized sharing a unique encounter across time: Shakespeare holding a quill and Tang holding his brush, symbolizing the interaction and resonance between Eastern and Western cultures.

Be it near or far, be it between individuals or nations, friendship and mutual trust are of utmost importance. I believe that close friendships can create a sense of solidarity, making the world a better place. Such friendships can be fostered through meaningful people-to-people interaction: through cultural exchanges, communication, dialogue and cooperation.

Relations between countries may fluctuate over time, but cross-border exchanges, particularly in the arts, remain a vital force in our world. These types of exchanges among nations help us to move from initial unfamiliarity toward a deep sense of connection. Through meaningful interactions, people from different countries can gradually dispel misunderstandings, discard prejudices and enhance mutual cooperation. One day, these friendships will become as profound as “a lake a thousand feet deep,” as in the ancient Chinese poem.

In 1920, a young man named Liu Bannong, who would later become a renowned linguist, was studying abroad in London. Borne out of his longing for his homeland of China, he wrote the poem Teach me how not to miss her. It was adapted into an art song by the composer and linguist Zhao Yuanren, creating an artwork that was popular not only in China, but continues to attract widespread attention in international art circles.

I feel a deep connection to this song every time I hear it. The universal appeal of great works of art lies in their ability to evoke the most simple and genuine emotions in people’s hearts while also conveying unique historical and cultural elements.

Nations differ, just as individuals differ. This is but one side of reality. The other side is that we all share common human emotions. We can be enchanted by beautiful music even if we don’t know the language being sung. We can empathize with the misfortunes of others, even though they live in places we have never been. As humans, two of our most special endowments are the capacities to both communicate and to empathize.

As the ancient Chinese educator and philosopher Confucius said, “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others” and “If you wish to establish yourself, help establish others. If you wish to achieve your goals, help others achieve theirs.” John Donne, a leading English poet of the 16th century, wrote, “No man is an island.” Drawing on the words of those who came before us, we can treat others with humility and strive to be more attentive listeners.

This approach allows us to put ourselves in others’ shoes and to better understand each other. That way we can seek out common ground and live in harmony.

By Niraj Lawoju

I’m from Nepal. Last September, driven by curiosity, I came to China for the first time and started my journey as a student at Sichuan University.

My new life began in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China’s Sichuan province, a city known for its relaxed pace of life and numerous parks. During weekends, particularly in good weather, people often gather in parks to enjoy tea and conversation, while their children play nearby.

Chengdu is also renowned for its mouth-watering dishes. As night falls, restaurants of every kind are bustling with diners, who are really enjoying themselves.

My residence is quite close to the Funan River, and I find pleasure in walking along its banks every morning and evening. At East Lake Park and Wangjianglou Park along the river, I often see elderly people practice tai chi amid gentle music and melodious birdsong. Their graceful postures and flowing movements create a beautiful sight in the parks. In the evenings, the open squares by the river come alive with people dancing to lively music. Most of them are about my mother’s age, yet their energy truly impresses me.

Perhaps it’s because of my habit of walking in the morning or my admiration for the clear Funan River flowing through the bustling city center, but I often pay special attention to the city’s sanitation workers.

Once, while walking back home on a chilly winter morning, I saw sanitation workers sweeping leaves on the road. Out of curiosity, I wanted to join them and see how they work. I tried to communicate in my poor Chinese, but I could not really understand their Sichuan dialect. However, when I picked up a broom, they immediately understood what I was trying to do. That day, I joined them in collecting leaves and helped them pack, sort and transport the leaves. When we parted, they enthusiastically suggested taking a photo with me, this sweaty foreign boy. I still cherish that photo – we were infected by each other’s enthusiasm, and smiles radiated on all our faces.

Despite being in a foreign land, I often encounter such hospitality and friendliness. My neighbor is a robust elderly man. Sometimes in the morning, I helped him sweep the streets near our residential building, and then we sat together for breakfast – usually youtiao, Chinese fried dough sticks. He listened as I talked about my family and parents. Sometimes he “complained” that my clothes were too thin: “You don’t understand winter in Chengdu; you should wear more.” In my neighborhood, there is also a kind auntie who always treats me like her own child, cooking me delicious food.

Their friendliness never ceases to warm my heart and deepen my appreciation for Chengdu and China. For me, China is a country that boasts not only beautiful cities, lively parks and busy subways, but also warm and friendly people. In their company, I no longer feel like a foreigner, but rather a typical young person who can effortlessly blend in and share laughter with them.

Before coming to China, I had heard about its rich traditional culture centered around “family.” This vague idea I had before has turned into vivid images in my mind, after seeing grandparents carrying their grandchildren’s small bicycles to pick them up from school and parents happily watching their children enjoy themselves in the playground. This embodies the devoted attention and care of Chinese elders, who are passing down their knowledge, aspirations and traditions to the next generation. And I am probably a beneficiary of this inclusive “family culture.”

China is vast, and what I see and hear often provokes my thoughts. Chinese society is like a weighty classic novel with many captivating chapters, filled with touching stories, kindness and warmth. Perhaps even a lifetime would not be enough to thoroughly understand all its aspects, but I am grateful to the people I met in China, who have opened a window for me to explore this fascinating culture.

A few years ago, a chance encounter with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sparked my deep interest in this ancient culture. As I began to delve into classical TCM texts, I discovered that they not only contained various diagnostic and treatment methods such as pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, and massage therapy, but embodied the wisdom of ancient Chinese philosophy, such as the unity of humans and nature and living in harmony with nature.

Captivated by the allure of TCM, I decided to pursue a systematic study. I applied to Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, and I was overjoyed the day I received my admission letter.

At the beginning, I encountered significant challenges due to language barriers and cultural differences. The ancient Chinese classics and intricate processes of herb collection, identification and combination were quite daunting to me. Fortunately, I had the patient guidance of professors and the enthusiastic help of classmates to rely on.

I remember when I first started learning acupuncture, I was often too hesitant to actually use the needles. To encourage me, my senior classmates generously acted as patients, braving the discomfort to let me practice acupuncture techniques on their bodies. With their support and motivation, my acupuncture skills steadily improved, and my studies quickly got on track.

During my learning journey, the most memorable experience was my internship at the Yunnan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. There, I had the opportunity to participate directly in patient care. I looked forward to every Saturday afternoon when I could shadow my mentor.To help me learn better, my mentor allowed me to observe and participate in pulse-taking and prescription writing alongside with her and the patients. After each patient consultation, she would give me a detailed explanation: what the patient’s pulse indicated, what it represented in terms of their conditions, and the role of each herb in the prescription. This approach helped shape my diagnostic thinking and was incredibly beneficial to me.

Even though this meant she could never leave work on time, she never stopped her meticulous teaching. As an ancient Chinese saying goes, “It’s easier to get a teacher of classics than a teacher of character.” I am deeply grateful for and cherish the teachers I have met on my learning journey in China, and I have personally experienced the importance of the master-apprentice relationship in TCM.

During my years of study, I have made many Chinese friends whose kindness and hospitality have deeply influenced me. When I felt anxious and exhausted from academic pressure, it was my classmates who helped me through those difficult times. They patiently helped me review my lessons, took me hiking and shopping, allowing me to experience the joys of life.

I remember the first time I was invited to a Chinese classmate’s family dinner. Sitting around a table covered by steaming dishes, tasting homemade specialties, and listening to the stories behind each dish – at that moment, I deeply felt the warmth and inclusiveness of the Chinese people.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to every teacher and friend I have met in China. Their guidance and support have greatly nourished me intellectually and emotionally. Every interaction and every patient act of assistance have become my precious memory, filling this journey with warm recollections.

My every day in China has been filled with challenges and surprises, and my progress has reinforced my conviction in the choice I have made. TCM has taught me not just the skills to heal and save lives but how to view life. The friendships I have built, transcending cultural and language differences, have become invaluable treasures in my life.

I have come to deeply understand that the power of culture lies not just in its uniqueness, but in its ability to connect hearts. I have discovered that people from different cultural backgrounds can forge strong connections. These experiences have not only influenced my career but also shaped my understanding of the world, making me more open-minded and inclusive.

On my future path, I hope to continue my studies in TCM. This is not just for my personal development; I also hope to share this profound and extensive knowledge with the world, allowing more people to understand and appreciate the culture of TCM.

I dream that one day I can promote TCM culture in my home country Myanmar and many other countries. I hope it can become a bridge connecting different cultures and peoples, contributing to mutual understanding and friendship among people from all over the world.

Carrying with me infinite gratitude and these profound insights, I will continue exploring TCM, bravely and resolutely.

By Kevin Watkins

As I made my way back home, I could not stop thinking about the performance and was filled with regret for not expressing my gratitude to the dancer who gave me the garland. Upon my return to Hastings, I bought a New Zealand jade bangle for the young lady, even though I did not know her name. Therefore, I decided to send a letter to Guilin with the photo attached.

Maybe it was a fateful coincidence, or what the Chinese people often refer to as yuanfen, that led my letter and gift to reach the dancer, building a bridge of friendship between us. To this day, we still treat each other as brother and sister, often swapping stories about our lives.

In 2005, I went back to Guilin to re-encounter its unique charm. By Ronghu Lake, I came across two young Chinese women and we exchanged email addresses. Through our correspondence, I learned that they came from rural areas, and their parents had made every effort to provide them with educational opportunities. This stirred deep emotions within me and sparked a bold idea: I had once connected with the woman who invited me to dance through a photo; could there be more instances of such yuanfen?

I asked for a picture of the two women in their traditional costumes. Then, I initiated a “challenge,” asking students in Hastings to find and identify them with only the photo as a clue. The first to accomplish the “challenge” would win a free trip to Guilin. This garnered significant attention from Hastings media and the public. Students flocked to libraries and computers, searching for any information about Guilin. During their search, they gained a deeper understanding of China’s history, geography, culture and our sister city. Eventually, two students managed to find the women just a week later, despite the distance and language barrier.

Later, they went to Guilin and met the two women, who were also given the chance to visit New Zealand. They toured some local attractions and schools in Hastings and other cities, and even participated in the annual Hastings Blossom Parade, riding on the float I specially designed for them. I was pleasantly surprised by how well we did in this “challenge” and felt extremely accomplished.

Thereafter, I became more enthusiastic about the activities that facilitate friendly exchanges between Hastings and Guilin, and other parts of China. For instance, I led a small singing group from New Zealand to perform in Guilin, participated in expos held in Guilin and Nanning, and the Shanghai World Expo, and was invited to deliver a speech in Hengshui, North China’s Hebei province. I also invited an equestrian team from Beijing and monks from the Shaolin Temple in Central China’s Henan province to perform in New Zealand, and gave speeches about China in multiple Hastings communities.

To celebrate the anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Hastings and Guilin, we designed window displays and exhibitions in the central business district, the council building, and other venues in Hastings to showcase images of China and decorative Chinese lanterns.

The belief in promoting mutual understanding between the two peoples has been driving me to move forward, and I was delighted to see the burgeoning relationships between the people of both countries.

In my view, the best way to understand a country is to go and see it for oneself, as a long journey always starts with a single step. For me, my connection with China has changed the trajectory of my life and enriched my experience. I hope that more people in New Zealand will see China’s remarkable development for themselves and feel the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people.

By Stephen Chappell（Canada）

My story with China began in the fall of 2005 when I came to China for the first time to teach English courses at Anqing Normal University in East China’s Anhui Province. Every morning I would take a walk in the park near the campus. One day I struck up a conversation with a senior who had just finished his Tai Chi practice. Upon learning that I was from Canada, he tightly held my hands and passionately recounted the story of Dr Norman Bethune, who had traveled all the way to China and fought alongside the Chinese people. At that moment I began to realize the deep affection that the Chinese people had held for Bethune.That night the trembling hands of the senior lingered in my mind. Tossing and turning, I made a firm decision. I wanted to truly get closer to Dr Bethune and understand the sincere friendship that this internationalist fighter had established with the Chinese people. In 2006 I went to Shijiazhuang, North China’s Hebei Province, to trace his footsteps.

There, by chance, I met Qi Ming, an English professor at the Bethune Military Medical College of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which is now a non-commissioned officers (NCOs) School of PLA Army Medical University and a training school for NCOs. In fact the college was just one of many institutions named after this heroic figure in Shijiazhuang. We had candid exchanges about Dr Bethune’s stories and quickly developed a close friendship. With his recommendation, I delved into a wide range of historical materials. Over time, a vivid image of the person started to take shape in my mind: a man devoted to his belief and embracing life with love, genuine kindness and unwavering determination. With great respect, we visited the North China Military Martyrs Cemetery where Dr Bethune’s tomb is located. We bowed deeply and silently wished in our hearts: May the legacy of Dr Bethune endure and be passed down generation after generation among the Canadian and Chinese peoples.

I came back to Canada in 2015 after retirement in China, yet my connection with Dr Bethune did not end there. In April 2018 I had the privilege of returning to China as a member of the Canada-China Friendship Society in Ottawa to retrace Dr Bethune’s footsteps. Along the way, everyone I encountered showed great commitment to preserving these important historical sites, silently recounting the touching stories of Dr Bethune’s deep connection with the Chinese people.In Niuyangou village of Tangxian county in Hebei Province, we saw the small house where Dr Bethune once lived and the former site of the Medical School of the Shanxi-Chahaer-Hebei Border Region that he helped establish, a predecessor of the Bethune Military Medical College of the PLA. At that time Bethune resolutely rushed from Yan’an to the war front on the Shanxi-Chahaer-Hebei border region, frequently abbreviated as the Jin-Cha-Ji border region. With the medicines and medical equipment that he brought, he helped establish a model hospital in Songyankou village of Gengzhen township in Wutai county, North China’s Shanxi Province and a medical school in Niuyangou village, training “a medical team which never leaves” for the Chinese Eighth Route Army.

However, the crazed rampage and pillaging by the Japanese invaders left most villages in North China devastated, forcing the newly established school to relocate from the border region to Gegong village in Tangxian county. The model hospital in Shanxi was razed to the ground. In his sorrow and anger, Bethune changed his mind from a settled hospital to a mobile service where wounded soldiers could receive necessary and timely treatment based on their different conditions. They could be then transferred to units behind enemy lines for further treatment.

We saw this important invention at the Norman Bethune and Dwarkanath Kotnis Memorial Hall in Tangxian county. The mobile service was like a stretcher, resembling the Lugou Bridge (Marco Polo Bridge). The medical equipment and drugs installed could be used to perform 100 surgeries, change medication 500 times and prepare 500 prescriptions. When two of these stretchers were combined, they formed an operating table, greatly enhancing the flexibility of field transfers.

To alleviate the suffering of the wounded, Dr Bethune always carried this mobile service, setting up mobile operating tables as close to the front lines as possible. In Baiyintuo, Shunping county, Hebei Province, we hiked approximately 4 kilometers along a trail where Dr Bethune treated the wounded. Standing atop the mountains with rugged paths beneath our feet, we envisioned Dr Bethune leading his mobile medical team through the battlefield to save lives and provide medical assistance. In just four months of 1939, Dr Bethune and his medical team traveled 750 kilometers in central Hebei, performed 315 surgeries and donated his blood multiple times to the wounded soldiers.We then headed to the Baiyintou historical site and a monument to Dr Bethune. The site is in a deep valley of the Taihang Mountains in Shunping county. The large and impressive monument depicts Dr Bethune and a nurse on horseback with an aide in tow. Since 2018 the Canada-China Friendship Maple Leaf Festival has been held at the site every year and Canadian delegations have been invited to attend. I also hope to attend the festival in 2025. Qi told me they are now planning to build a Bethune International Memorial Park in the valley to honor Dr Bethune and other international friends who have made great contributions to the birth of New China.

At the end of our journey, we arrived at Sunjiazhuang village in Laiyuan county of Hebei Province. In this village that witnessed the final days of Dr Bethune’s life, I felt a deep sense of grief. In the winter of 1939, while rescuing wounded soldiers on the front lines of Motianling in Laiyuan county, Dr Bethune accidentally cut his left middle finger, which led to a fatal blood poisoning infection. He gave his life for the Chinese people in the Taihang Mountains.

Dr Bethune was laid to rest in the Jin-Cha-Ji Martyrs Cemetery in Juncheng Nanguan, Tangxian county. Next to his grave stands another tombstone with the engraving “The Grave of a Canadian Friend, Jean Ewen.” Ewen was the only Canadian nurse who came to China with Dr Bethune. They fought side by side during the turbulent years of war, forging a deep friendship. In her final moments, with a deep attachment to this land, Ewen chose to leave her ashes in China and be buried alongside Dr Bethune’s tomb. She was a witness to his noble soul and magnificent life.”A man’s ability may be great or small, but if he has this spirit, he is already noble-minded and pure, a man of moral integrity and above vulgar interests, a man who is of value to the people.” These words I once read from “In Memory of Norman Bethune” written by Mao Zedong were confirmed during this journey. After years of extensive pursuit, Dr Bethune’s legacy continues to encourage and inspire me.

Retracing the footsteps of Dr Bethune, I wrote these words:

“The legacy of Dr Bethune fills me, as a Canadian, with pride. I am determined to do my utmost to share Dr Bethune’s story with more Canadians, ensuring that his great legacy lives on forever.

“Today, carrying forward the legacy of Dr Bethune has become my lifelong pursuit. In my heart, the radiance that shines from this internationalist fighter, who crossed oceans and continents to come to China with great determination, possesses an eternal vitality that transcends time and space.

“It is akin to the majestic Taihang Mountains in China, where the loyal bones of heroes rest, standing tall and verdant year after year.”