Reported by Xinhua News Agency | From Indonesia to China: My Cultural Roots Seeking Journey
2024-12-31
The Indonesian proverb 'Tuntutlah ilmu sampai ke negeri Cina' (thirst for knowledge, go to China) has infinite implications, conveying the Indonesian people's persistent pursuit of knowledge and determination to travel thousands of miles to China to draw wisdom. Nowadays, this ancient proverb has become a reality: China has become one of the most popular and desirable destinations for Indonesian students studying abroad. China's strong economic strength, profound cultural heritage, high-quality educational resources, and diverse employment opportunities are attracting more and more Indonesian students. According to Zhou Kan, Acting Charg é d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, as of 2023, over 15000 Indonesian students have been studying in China. For Indonesian Chinese, although many of them, as second, third, or even fourth generation Indonesians, have never personally set foot in China, their way of life and cultural ideas are deeply influenced by Chinese culture under the guidance of cultural ties. Therefore, many Indonesian Chinese have a natural affinity for Chinese culture, not only proficient in Indonesian, but also fluent in Mandarin, or Chinese dialects such as Minnan and Hakka for communication. Studying in China: Reconnecting with Chinese Culture. The Spring Festival is an important time for Indonesian Chinese to reunite and celebrate with their families every year. In 2003, the Spring Festival officially became a national holiday in Indonesia. During the festival, streets and alleys are decorated with lights and colorful decorations, and people sit around large round tables to welcome the New Year and celebrate the Spring Festival with laughter and joy. At this time, elders will prepare red envelopes for the younger generation, and we will repeatedly say blessings such as "Congratulations on getting rich, happy New Year, and good health". At every moment, my father always reminds me, 'Never forget where our ancestors came from.' The continuation of this traditional culture has not changed, even in the deepening tide of globalization, the roots and soul of Chinese culture are still deeply rooted in our hearts. Indonesian people celebrate the Spring Festival in their daily lives, and the shadow of traditional Chinese culture is also everywhere. In terms of language, in Indonesian Chinese families, in addition to using formal Indonesian language, we are more accustomed to addressing our elders as "Yeye", "Nainai", "Wai Gong" or "Wai Po". Some Chinese even speak the Minnan dialect of "Kung Kung" and "Poh Poh". In terms of food, we usually cook dishes that combine the characteristics of the two countries, such as miscellaneous dishes, casserole tofu, Kung Pao chicken, etc. When dining out, Chinese Indonesians often choose to eat Dim sum or meat noodles (Bakmie) in the morning, and prefer hot pot in the evening. Although I have been influenced by Chinese culture while living in Indonesia, this cultural experience is completely different from my own feelings after coming to China. For me, studying in China has given me a renewed understanding and deepened my comprehension of the vast and profound Chinese culture. During my two years of studying in Hangzhou and Guangzhou, I have gained a more comprehensive understanding of China's history, culture, and profound heritage. Many of my observations have left me feeling novel and amazed. For example, I was deeply surprised by the popularity of Hanfu in China. In Indonesia, traditional costumes such as Hanfu are generally only used for special occasions such as weddings or celebrations in the Chinese community; In China, wearing traditional clothing has become a part of many people's daily lives. From modern cities to cultural ancient towns, from festival celebrations to daily life, young people dressed in Hanfu are confident and composed, showcasing their love and inheritance of traditional culture. I am also impressed by the differences between China and Indonesia in the way they celebrate festivals, such as the Loong Boat Festival. In Indonesia, people mainly eat meat dumplings, so we also call the Loong Boat Festival "meat dumplings festival", but people have relatively little understanding of other folk customs. In China, I found that besides eating Zongzi, people also have unique customs such as racing Loong Boat and wearing sachets on the Loong Boat Festival, from which I also learned that this festival also bears the memory of Qu Yuan, a poet of Chu State in the Warring States Period. Indonesian meat dumplings and daily dishes In addition, Chinese food is rich and diverse, and Chinese people also have a strong spirit of innovation in food. Although there are many similarities between Chinese and Indonesian ingredients, the Chinese people's innovation and ingenious use of ingredients are refreshing. Just the way durian is consumed in China has amazed me immensely, as if it has opened the door to a new world. Durian, as a common fruit in Southeast Asia, can be made into various delicious dishes in China - durian pizza, durian egg tart, durian sushi, and even durian hotpot, durian chicken pot, etc. Chinese Community: Embracing Development Opportunities and Emotional Bonds in China. Indonesia's 10th and 12th Vice Presidents, Jusuf Kalla, once pointed out that although Chinese make up only 4.5% of Indonesia's total population, their contribution to the Indonesian economy has reached 50%. In fact, many Chinese Indonesians have been exposed to commerce since childhood. Influenced by the family business atmosphere, they have a high business acumen and pioneering spirit. In recent years, with the rapid development of the Chinese economy, large cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen have become popular study destinations for Indonesian Chinese students due to their advantages in global supply chains, e-commerce, and high-tech fields. Many Indonesian Chinese students studying in China actively participate in market research and explore new development opportunities in their spare time. Especially during the Canton Fair, many Indonesian Chinese students will specifically visit Guangzhou to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese products and markets, and learn about the 'Chinese experience'. Even in daily life, they often visit wholesale markets and factories in China for on-site research. The learning and life experiences of Indonesian Chinese teenagers studying and exchanging in China have also enabled me to participate in more Chinese community activities and helped me expand my social circle. When interacting with Chinese students from all over the world, I gained a deeper understanding of the situation of Chinese people in different countries. For example, Malaysian Chinese usually use Chinese names in official documents, while Indonesian Chinese do not have this practice; Latin American countries such as Panama, as well as European countries such as Germany, have a sizable Chinese community. What surprised me was that Chinese people from Latin America and Europe have been exposed to and speak Mandarin since childhood, while Indonesian Chinese, despite being on the same continent as China, do not have such a good language environment, which has strengthened my determination to learn Chinese well. By making friends with similar backgrounds to myself, I quickly adapted to studying and living in China. Although Chinese people were born and raised around the world, we are connected by blood and share a common Chinese traditional culture and customs, whether it's the twelve zodiac animals, traditional Chinese festivals, or Chinese songs sung by our parents... These are all our common 'language'. They have all become deep bonds, tightly linking us together. Traveling throughout China: Experience the vast and diverse land of China, with a vast territory. Through my personal travels, I have experienced the infinite charm of China's beautiful rivers and mountains, as well as its thriving cultural heritage. In Beijing, the magnificent Great Wall symbolizes the wisdom of ancient Chinese civilization; In Nanjing, the beautiful Niushou Mountain generously showcases its stunning scenery, while the Nanjing Museum, with its rich collection, quietly lays out a picture of history... Every city, every scenery, and every historical site makes me even more in awe of this magical and ancient land. In addition, the modern urban construction and cultural innovation in China have also amazed me. The efficient and convenient high-speed rail network has made me fall in love with the "let's go" travel, and the highly popular electronic payment allows me to travel across the country with my phone. These wonderful travel experiences make me eager to continue exploring more cities - Changsha, Qingdao, and Chongqing are all within my plans, and future journeys are sure to be equally exciting. The dialogue between skiing in Beijing and the land and mountains, culture and people, history and modernity has opened up an endless treasure trove of China and allowed me to witness the diversity of Chinese culture. It has deepened my connection with China, making me feel closer to my own bloodline roots, as warm as returning home. I have also decided to stay in China for development after graduation, determined to see all the splendor in this vast, diverse, and prosperous country, and create my own colorful life. (Xinhua News Agency) (The author is Michelle Liu (Indonesia), the international correspondent of Xinhua News Agency)
Edit:Lyanna Yee, Stephy Tao, Chen Xinyan Responsible editor:Li Nian
Source:Outlook New Era
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