Arslan Mehmood: My Bond with Chinese Language

My name is Arslan Mehmood, and I come from Pakistan. Geographically, Pakistan borders China; in terms of international relations, China and Pakistan are not only partners, but also brotherly countries. Since my childhood, I have been inspired by Chinese culture, with particular fascination for the Chinese language and the profound traditional Chinese culture. At that time, there were many Chinese people living across from my house, and they would practice Tai Chi every morning. I would wake up early just to appreciate the graceful and harmonious movements of Tai Chi. Since then, I have been filled with curiosity about the mysterious Chinese culture, hoping to have the opportunity to visit China and fulfill my dream of enhancing the friendship between China and Pakistan.

With the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), exchanges between China and Pakistan have become increasingly close, and our friendship has become stronger and deeper. This reminds me that the ancient Silk Road, both the overland and maritime routes, served as not only commercial trade channels connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe, but also important bridges for political and cultural exchanges between the East and the West. In the 21st century, the BRI proposed by China will undoubtedly attract more Chinese talents to participate. I have also caught up with the trend of the initiative and formed an inseparable bond with the Chinese language.

The formation of the bond is wonderful and novel, but the journey to maintain that bond is extremely challenging. When I was studying in Pakistan, there were 250 people learning Chinese, but only two could apply for scholarships to study in China. With passion and an indomitable spirit, I overcame all obstacles along the way. Although many friends gave up halfway because they found Chinese difficult to learn, I persisted because I knew that "nothing is difficult to a willing heart."

Finally, I stood out among the 250 people and obtained the opportunity to study in China. On September 1, 2012, with excitement and anticipation, I flew from Islamabad International Airport in Pakistan and, after a 6-hour flight, finally arrived in Beijing.

Time flies, and I have spent four years studying international trade. However, I am still not satisfied with my Mandarin proficiency, so I decided to pursue a master's degree in international Chinese language education at East China Normal University. After one semester of study, my Chinese level has improved significantly. In addition, the colorful activities organized by the university have brought me new hopes. I participated in the first "Hua Xia Cup" Chinese Speech Contest and secured first place, which greatly boosted my confidence. I also took part in the performance of the stage play "Cai Wenji" in the 10th International Cultural Festival, where I not only learned a lot about the language but also gained a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. I used to think that my Mandarin was pretty good, but during that performance, the teachers pointed out our pronunciation errors. With their guidance, I gradually corrected those mistakes.

As the BRI continues to develop, my understanding of cooperation between China and Pakistan has deepened, and my future plan has become clearer. The BRI not only creates a win-win pattern for economic exchanges but also paves the way for cultural exchanges between our two countries. However, whether it is economic exchanges or cultural exchanges, language plays a vital role. And my major in international Chinese language education allows me to gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese languages. Now, back in Pakistan, I have served as a local Chinese language teacher, letting more people understand the beautiful language and culture of China. Now, back in Pakistan, I have become a local Chinese language teacher, introducing more people to the beautiful language and culture of China.

Ever since I formed a bond with the Chinese language, it has accompanied me on my journey and witnessed my growth. I believe that "no pains, no gains" and I will work hard to cultivate my Chinese dream and take the responsibility of enhancing friendship between our two countries. Long live China-Pakistan friendship!