Page 23 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (111)

SOUTHERN MESSENGERS 22
Finding a sense of home in China
在中国感受到家的温暖
During a recent exclusive interview,
Makhdoom Shehryar Babar, a Pakistani
student studying at Beijing Language
and Culture University, shared his expe- friends and I used to only watch the Spring Festival
rience of the warm friendship between
Pakistan and China. Babar spoke en-
thusiastically about Yunnan’s pleasant
climate, expressing a strong wish to live
there if given the chance.
日前，北京语言大学巴基斯坦留学生马
克东·谢里亚尔·巴伯在接受本刊记者专访
时表示，自己在中国感受到了“巴铁”情谊
的温暖。此外，巴伯对气候宜人的云南十分
向往，表示有机会一定要来云南旅居。
By Wang Shixue and Mo Yingyi □ 王世学 莫颖艺 / 文
“What I find really interesting,” Babar shared, “is new single. Although he encountered numerous celebri-
that when I tell people in other countries I’m from Pa- ties backstage at CCTV, Babar found the collaborative
kistan, there’s usually no strong reaction. But in China, experience of performing with his classmates even more
whenever I say I’m from Pakistan, Chinese people al- memorable. The university recently honored him fur-
ways warmly refer to me as ‘Pakistani Iron Bro,’ show- ther by inviting him to co-host the annual International
ing incredible kindness. They give me such a strong Culture Festival, an invaluable opportunity he intends to
sense of home that I completely forget I’m in a foreign fully embrace.
land. That’s truly what I love most about China.” Babar firmly believes the bond between Pakistan
At 24 years old, Babar commenced his studies in a and China is truly unique. “The longer I live in China,”
preparatory program for Chinese International Educa- he remarked, “the more I discover the striking cultural
tion at Beijing Language and Culture University in Sep- similarities between our nations. Even the core values
tember 2023, with intentions to continue for a bachelor’s instilled in our youth, such as respecting elders and
degree in the same field. In just under two years, he has treating others with humility, align very closely. Paki-
already explored a wide array of destinations, includ- stan and China share an exceptionally deep friendship, a
ing Shanghai, Lanzhou, Urumqi, Chengdu, Linyi, and special relationship truly unparalleled globally.” He also
Sanya. Upon learning of his Bangladeshi friend’s travel highlighted how many Chinese bloggers in Pakistan
experience in Kunming, Babar developed a keen appre- now document local life and share it on platforms like
ciation for its mild winter climate and voiced a strong Xiaohongshu and Douyin, offering Chinese audiences
aspiration to reside in Yunnan should the chance arise. direct insights into Pakistani daily life. Similarly, numer-
Of his many experiences studying in China, Babar
considers his participation in the 2025 Spring Festival ous Pakistani bloggers in China use their platforms to
showcase their experiences, sparking greater interest in
Gala performance his greatest source of pride. “My China among more Pakistanis.
To continuously deepen mutual understanding and
Gala on TV,” he said, “but this time, I was actually on friendship between the peoples of both countries, Babar
stage. The transformation from audience to performer believes it’s essential to fully utilize online communication
was incredibly thrilling; I savored every moment.” while also organizing diverse offline activities
Babar elaborated that he and his classmates ded- to enhance interaction. “I firmly believe
icated a full month to rehearsing their dance that in the years to come,” he assert-
routine. On the night of the show, as they ed, “the ironclad friendship between
performed alongside a renowned singer, the Pakistan and China will undoubt-
accompanying song was released as a brand- edly shine even brighter.”