[Russia] Kleimenova Elizaveta, Central University of Finance and Economics
Sitting on a bay window of the hotel, I am looking over the blue sea outside. It is the Qianhai of Shenzhen, which glisters like sapphire and clatters in rhythm when the seawater laps the bank.
The scenery looks so familiar, just like my hometown Vladivostok in Russia. However, if you look a little afar, you will see the substantial differences between the two places. Standing nearby is the container terminal of Shekou. Like fetching building blocks, the orange lifting arms are hooking containers one by one before putting them on the 10, 000-ton ships laying off the harbor. One could vaguely see the buildings of New Territories, Hong Kong on the opposite.
Six years have passed since I came to China. Every year I visit Guangzhou, Guangdong Province once or twice as I need to accompany my family to attend the Canton Fair. Occasionally I go around some factories in Pearl River Delta (PRD). The PRD, as the most important base of China’s light industry, is the pioneer and miniature of China’s reform and opening-up. I have personally witnessed the rapid development and big changes of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan and other cities.
The city of Shenzhen is a symbol of China’s reform and opening-up, a name card of China’s fast progress. It took only 40 years for a small fishing village on deserted barren shoals to turn into a brand new and prosperous metropolis. With more potential to develop, it has been on a par with Hong Kong, standing on the other side of the sea.
Moreover, the ongoing Sino-US trade friction has made Yuehai Street of Nanshan district in Shenzhen quite well known. It is even said that the trade “war” is a wrestle between the US and Yuehai Street. This small street, gathering Huawei, DJ-Innovation, Tencent and other super powerful enterprises, is the Silicon Valley of China.
Strolling on the Yuehai Street at night, you may be attracted by the bright lights radiating in the office buildings along the way, though it is after 9 pm. Young people, who are called “996 office workers” (working for 6 days a week, from 9 am to 9 pm every day), are still working. The electric mobiles of delivery men shuttle back and forth beside you.
The food couriers are running and sending food into the office buildings. It seems that the whole city is like a steadily navigating aircraft and everybody is a part of it, who unite together to keep guard for the high-speed operation of the city.
And China is like a giant aircraft carrier sailing in the sea. The cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hangzhou … are airplanes on the carrier. Despite strong headwinds and waves, this large ship is still driving forward at full speed to the happy destination with fortitude and confidence.
Having been in China for so many years, I have witnessed the solemnity and magnificence of Beijing. I was also touched by the speedy development of the Greater Bay Area of the PRD, the grandeur on the two sides of Huangpu River of Shanghai and beautiful scenery of the West Lake in Hangzhou. I had been to Yunnan, Sichuan and other regions in western China. In addition to those sublime mountains and lakes, I also saw the simple and warm smiles of many ethnic minorities.
I also saw the damages caused by the big earthquake when I traveled along highway 319 and passed Wenchuan. Meanwhile I perceived the beauty of new Wenchuan, which was rebuilt within a short time. I had even stepped on Inner Mongolia grassland and excitedly communicated with local Russian people with our national dialect. Everywhere I go, I am touched by not only the charm of nature and buildings, but also by the smiling faces full of assurance, gratification and hope for the future.
What touched me deeply are the atmosphere in which everybody is working hard for the future and the industrious and courageous Chinese people. Being involved in these activities, I don’t feel I was only a passerby. I am not used to the lifestyle of my home country where people often rely on wine drinking to drive away worries and sadness. I don’t hope I have only a wonderful encounter with China and would like to be part of it. I am willing to contribute my wisdom for a better home and peaceful world.
I love Chinese food. I love kind and warm-hearted Chinese people.
I love you, China!
The story is from "My Beautiful Encounter with China" Essay Competition organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchanges (CSCSE).
