分类： society

For many young observers abroad, China remains an abstract concept—a distant economic phenomenon or geopolitical entity. Yet for Jood Ghazwan Sharaf, a Bulgarian doctoral candidate at Tsinghua University, China has become a living tapestry of human stories and cultural richness. Her academic journey has transformed into a mission to showcase the nation’s profound humanity beyond statistical narratives.

Sharaf’s connection to Chinese culture originated not in academic halls but through the vibrant world of Chinese television dramas. Encouraged by her grandmother—a computer science researcher—she developed a deep appreciation for wuxia (martial heroes) and xianxia (immortal heroes) genres, captivated by their artistic craftsmanship, narrative depth, and emphasis on familial bonds and female empowerment. This shared cultural consumption with her grandmother evolved into a life-changing academic pursuit.

In 2022, Sharaf embarked on her PhD studies at Tsinghua University, transitioning from international relations theory to immersive cultural storytelling. Her early challenges were significant: navigating Mandarin-taught courses without prior language proficiency required developing a rigorous bilingual research methodology. She maintained parallel study materials—English literature on China studies alongside original Chinese academic works—while receiving substantial support from professors and peers.

Her lived experience in China revealed what she identifies as a critical gap in Western scholarship: the tendency to analyze China through external frameworks rather than understanding its unique developmental approach. “Many western theorists try to apply their worldview to China without seeing it as it actually is,” Sharaf observed. She emphasizes China’s distinctive development model operates without imposing itself on other nations, embodying what she describes as “kaifang baorong” (open and inclusive) principles.

Beyond academia, Sharaf has become an active documentarian of China’s cultural preservation efforts. Her fieldwork has taken her to Hainan province where she recorded Qiong opera performances, Li brocade weaving techniques, and artisans maintaining traditional crafts. This ethnographic work reinforces her conviction that behind geopolitical narratives exist individual stories worthy of recognition. “Everybody has a story. No matter if you’re from a village, from a big city, or from whatever country, that story is important,” she asserts.

Sharaf’s mission culminates in bridging perceptual gaps between China and global audiences. “Living and studying in China, I have changed from a curious, distant observer to an integrated participant,” she reflects. “In the future, I am willing to continue being a devoted decoder and a warm connector between China and the world.”

At the themed forum “Telling Story Well: From Empathetic Communication to Cultural Identity” held on March 28, distinguished French sinologist David Gosset presented a compelling argument for comprehensive Chinese language acquisition. The founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative emphasized that true mastery of Chinese extends far beyond basic conversational abilities.

Gosset, an authoritative voice in Sino-European cultural studies, articulated that linguistic proficiency must encompass reading comprehension and writing capabilities to achieve meaningful cultural engagement. He stressed that superficial language skills remain insufficient for grasping China’s philosophical depth and historical consciousness.

“The Chinese language serves as the vessel for millennia of cultural accumulation,” Gosset explained during his address. “To truly understand China’s contemporary reality, one must access the classical texts and literary traditions that have shaped its civilizational trajectory.”

The sinologist’s perspective challenges prevailing language education models that prioritize verbal communication over literary acquisition. His analysis suggests that cultural identity formation through language requires engagement with written historical narratives and philosophical concepts embedded in Chinese characters.

This approach aligns with China’s broader cultural diplomacy efforts, emphasizing deeper mutual understanding rather than superficial cultural exchange. Gosset’s methodology advocates for linguistic study as gateway to comprehensive cross-cultural comprehension, particularly relevant as global interest in Chinese studies continues to grow.

The ancient city of Luoyang in Henan province reveals a fascinating dichotomy of modern industrial legacy and cultural renaissance. China Daily’s Xia Ji, accompanied by Italian friend Martina, recently embarked on an extraordinary journey showcasing the city’s contrasting identities within a single day.

The exploration began with an unexpected agricultural experience as the visitors operated tractors, symbolizing Luoyang’s industrial significance in China’s manufacturing landscape. This hands-on encounter demonstrated the city’s contribution to modern agricultural machinery production and technological advancement.

Transitioning dramatically from industrial to historical, the travelers then immersed themselves in Luoyang’s rich cultural heritage by donning traditional hanfu garments. Wearing these elegant historical costumes, they wandered through the city’s ancient streets, experiencing what life might have been like during Luoyang’s golden era as the ‘divine capital’ over a millennium ago.

This remarkable day-trip illustrates how Chinese cities like Luoyang successfully preserve and celebrate their historical legacy while simultaneously embracing modern development. The hanfu movement, particularly strong in historically significant cities, represents a growing cultural phenomenon among Chinese youth who seek to reconnect with their traditional heritage through fashion and experiential tourism.

The seamless transition between these two worlds demonstrates urban China’s unique ability to harmonize industrial progress with cultural preservation, offering both residents and visitors multifaceted experiences that span centuries of development within a single city’s boundaries.

A devastating fire erupted on the exterior facade of a commercial-residential building along Qinxian Street in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, on the evening of March 28, resulting in one fatality and 25 injuries. According to official reports from Xinhua News Agency, emergency response teams including firefighters, police, and medical personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene following the outbreak of the blaze.

The inferno, which has since been fully extinguished, caused significant damage to the building’s external structure. Among the injured, seven individuals sustained severe burns and trauma, requiring immediate critical care. All casualties have been transported to nearby medical facilities where they are receiving comprehensive treatment.

Rescue operations continued through the night as emergency crews worked to secure the building and ensure no additional individuals remained trapped within the affected structure. The rapid response by local authorities helped prevent further casualties despite the challenging nature of the facade fire, which can spread rapidly across building exteriors.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has been initiated, with preliminary assessments focusing on potential electrical faults or external ignition sources. The incident has raised concerns about building safety standards and fire prevention measures in urban structures, particularly regarding exterior insulation and facade materials that may contribute to fire spread.

The municipal government of Taiyuan has announced it will conduct a comprehensive review of fire safety protocols for high-rise buildings throughout the city to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

In the heart of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, a remarkable preservation project is breathing new life into a nearly two-century-old royal kitchen that continues to serve thousands despite its historical significance. Originally constructed in 1837 by Muhammad Ali Shah, the last ruler of the Awadh kingdom, this culinary landmark represents an enduring legacy of communal generosity that has outlived the monarchy itself.

The kitchen, nestled within the Chota Imambara complex, stands as a testament to architectural ingenuity and cultural continuity. What makes this restoration extraordinary is the Archaeological Survey of India’s commitment to historical accuracy, employing traditional Mughal-era construction methods. Artisans are recreating authentic lime-based mortar—soaked for a month and mixed with wood apple pulp, black gram, natural gum (gond), jaggery, and red brick dust—while using period-appropriate ‘lakhauri’ bricks to maintain structural authenticity.

Beyond architectural preservation, the kitchen maintains its original purpose of serving meals to the community. During Ramadan and Muharram, it feeds approximately 700 people daily through a coupon system, with meals distributed to 16 local mosques. The menus, meticulously detailed in Muhammad Ali Shah’s will nearly two centuries ago, continue to dictate portion sizes and dish specifications—from meat curries and kebabs during Ramadan to vegetarian offerings during Muharram’s initial mourning days.

The restoration, scheduled for completion by March, addresses concerning structural decay while preserving intricate wall carvings and iconic brickwork. Funded through a unique historical endowment—originally 3.6 million rupees given to the East India Company in 1839 with the stipulation that interest would maintain Awadh monuments—the kitchen now operates under the Hussainabad Trust using the same financial mechanism.

For descendants of the Awadh royalty and longtime community members like 80-year-old Syed Haider Raza, the kitchen represents living history. ‘The spirit of the place is still the same,’ Raza observes, ‘It feels as if the food is still being sent by Muhammad Ali Shah.’ This project demonstrates how functional preservation can maintain both physical structures and the cultural traditions they embody.