On 14th June, 2023, the Nation, the largest-selling newspaper in Seychelles, published an article entitled China Through the Eyes of A Young Seychellois Graduate, written by Mr. Francis Woodcock, an excellent young Seychellois graduate who were awarded Chinese Government Scholarship. The full text is as follows:
I’m a young Seychellois born on the 4th October 1995, graduated in China in 2022. Growing up I was always fascinated by Eastern Asian culture, particularly Chinese culture. I found many aspects of Chinese culture very intriguing and always wanted to learn more them, I tried to learn about China through the internet and tv programs but I never real felt that the views of China that was being portrayed by western media was not an accurate representation of China and Chinese society. And because of the linguistic barrier I was unable communicate with many Chinese people to acquire the knowledge that craved. After completing my studies at A levels, my parents suggested that should further my studies in China, but because of the language barrier I wasn’t keen on the idea at first, but after serious considerations I decided to take heed of their advice, and I applied for a bachelor’s degree course in China and started my studies in 2017. I majored in Chinese language with emphasis on Chinese and world economics. Which I happened to be really good at, and with dedication and hard work I was able to excel in my studies. Upon my graduation from Dalian University of Technology in June of last year I was awarded the certificate of excellence for my thesis and was chosen to be the Valedictorian for the graduating class of 2022.
In march of this year, I was selected by the Chinese embassy in Seychelles and ANHRD to represent Seychelles at the 7th China-Africa youth festival. And my participation was later endorsed by the government to represent Seychelles at the aforementioned event. A task that I was very privileged and honoured to undertake. As there is no greater honour than to represent one’s Country on the international stage, which happened to be one of my Dreams. The event took place from 16th to 23rd April of which participants from 49 African Countries including Seychelles took part in. This event also gave me the opportunity to learn about China and Chinese society from a different perspective to the one I had previously acquired as a Student. In order to share my personal experiences and recount an authentic representation of China as opposed to the one portrayed by western media.
Upon my arrival in China, I was greatly impressed by the level of hospitality shown to us the African delegation by our host, “the Song Qingling foundation”. Our host had even arranged Halal meals and special meal schedules for the Muslim participants who were fasting during Ramadan, as well as meals for vegan participants. All of our needs were catered for with utmost care by our gracious host. Even the locals that we encountered during our visits were very amiable towards us, in some instances random people would stop their transports to greet or take pictures with us. During our first day we visited the former residence of Madam Song Qingling and learned about her life, Madam Song was a politician that played a vital role in China’s defense during the Sino-Japanese war of 1937. She also held prominent positions in the government after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. After our visit to Madam Song’s residence, our host had arranged for us to visit the Badaling section of the Great wall of China, which was a 2 hour journey from Beijing. Badaling was the section of The Great Wall that was built in the 1500’s during the period of the Ming Dynasty, to protect the city of Beijing from barbarian invasions. As anyone who has been to the Badaling Great Wall will know, climbing to the 12th Watch tower of the Great Wall is quite an arduous Journey. For me personally it was the 5th time climbing to the top, therefore I knew exactly what to expect. In a group of 71 people which included Chinese and African delegation, only 10 of us managed to reach the top.
The next day we had cultural exchange activities with Chinese people, during which we attended several Martial arts and dance performances. We had the opportunity to learn several Chinese arts, such as Calligraphy, paper cutting, pottery, making of Chinese traditional medicines and learning to play traditional Chinese musical instruments, while the African delegation would showcase their traditional dances and songs. For me personally, the making of Chinese traditional medicines was very fascinating as the ingredients used in some of them are in abundance in Seychelles, and it’s skill that I would love to learn more about in the future. Upon the completion of the cultural exchange program, we went to visit the Museum of the Communist Party of China, where we learned about several stages of China’s develop as a Republic after the collapse of Imperial China in early 1900’s, the exhibits emphasized on the hardship and Challenges that Chinese people encountered during the decades after the abolishment of the Imperial system, and also how the economic reform of 1978 that has forged China into the prosperous nation that it is today came about. The exhibits showcased and depicted Chinese people’s resilience, fearlessness and will to prevail in the face of all types of Adversities and oppression.
The following days, we visited the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and had a conference, were several African participants talked about the Belt and Road initiative as well as other projects that China is undertaking in its effort to assist Africa in its journey towards economic prosperity. We also got the chance to learn more about China’s efforts to eradicate absolute poverty, a plan that was realized in 2020. After our visits we travelled from Beijing to the city of Jinan in Shandong province. There we attended conferences and had dialogues with Chinese youths to discuss about Ideas and projects that can be implemented in order to achieve mutual benefit for both Africa and China, such as: collaborated efforts for conservation of Endangered animal species like the African Elephants and the Giant Pandas, proposed Agricultural projects to attain food sustainability for our two parties, as well as development in the field communication and technology. We witnessed China’s technological advancements and innovation during our visits to Jinan’s Sino truck museum as well as the automated shipping port of Qingdao, all of which are areas where Africa can learn from China.
After the conferences we travelled to the city of Tai’an, where we visited Mount Tai, which is one of the five sacred Mountains in China as well as a UNESCO world heritage site. It is said that Mount Tai has been a site of worship for well over 2000 years and has been visited by the Great philosopher and teacher “Confucius” who happens to be one of my inspirations. Mount Tai has also been visited by many emperors from several dynasties of Imperial China. As climbing Mount Tai requires an average time of 6 hours and most of the participants were not in the required physical condition, our host had organized for us travel by cable to the base of the mountain, after which we were able to climb to the Summit of Mount Tai. Standing at 1545 meters above sea level, with the wind howling at 70 km/h and a spine chilling temperature -2 °C, I gazed down towards the city Tai’an and marveled at the aesthetic beauty of the unique landscape, I felt connected to this site and felt a gush of emotion that overtook me, it was as though I was feeling the emotions of all the people who had climbed this summit before me. At that moment I came to sudden realization that climbing of Mount Tai can be a representation of what life is about. Just the ascension to the summit of mount tai, Life is also a rigorous journey, but the hardships and challenges that we encounter along the way are what make life worth living, you can never really appreciate the beauty and the value of the good things in your life if you have not gone through hardships. And only then can you truly admire the essence of your existence. For me personally the visit the Mount Tai was the most memorable experience and the highlight of the entire trip.
From my knowledge and experience of China, I’ve come to the conclusion that China’s rise to success stems from the fact the people are united and not afraid of adversity. As opposed to having an individualistic mindset, Chinese people tend to have a collective mindset, therefore when a Chinese person achieve success, he or she dedicates that success to his or her family, community and the Country, in that way everyone benefits from it. The absence of intoxicants and other detrimental substances in Chinese society, has ensured that China has a strong, diligent, disciplined and resilient workforce, which is why China has been able be prosper and continue to rise towards the pinnacle of its development, as envisioned by its forefathers. Since the economic reform of 1978, China has faced many challenges and managed to overcome them in its journey to becoming a developed nation. Many of these challenge Africa as a developing continent will eventually face, therefore Africa has a lot to learn from China. As the saying goes “Greatness comes from small beginnings”, similarly the vision of a Strong, Independent and Developed Africa can start with us young the generation. If we are willing to come together and dedicate our lives towards achieving this vision we will prevail, and realize the dreams of the likes of Nelson Mandela and our other great African Leaders.