Xinhua News Agency, London, November 12 (Reporter Gao Wencheng) British food writer Fuxia Dunlop recently published an article in the Financial Times, talking about how she has never forgotten the taste of douzhier, a dish in Beijing's alleys, and even tried to recreate it in London. From this, she mentioned that in London, it is not difficult to find the local flavors of China, from Sichuan bean paste to Hunan stinky tofu. But no matter how rich the choices around her are, they can't stop her from visiting China: some flavors must be tasted locally.
On October 30, passengers entered the country through the Daxing Airport border inspection station. According to the Beijing Entry-Exit Border Inspection Station, as of October 28, the total number of entry-exit personnel at Beijing Daxing International Airport this year exceeded 5 million. Daxing Airport Port has more than 900,000 foreign tourists arriving this year, a year-on-year increase of about 36%, of which nearly 80% are foreigners entering without visas. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xin
A dish can be a window to understand China, but you can only see a corner of the scenery through the window. Only when you are in China do you know that the world is vast. Data from the National Immigration Administration of China show that in the third quarter of this year, 11.601 million foreigners entered the country, a year-on-year increase of 15.6%; among them, 8.992 million foreigners entered the country without visas, accounting for 77.5% of the total number of foreigners entering the country. As coming to China becomes more and more convenient, more and more foreign visitors compare the China they hear with the China they see and find that in China, people live a richer life, observe things more openly, and have a deeper understanding of cooperation opportunities...
As you get closer to China, the pictures you see become more and more colorful. A British travel magazine reported that Western tourism practitioners have sensed the rising interest in China, and their recommended itineraries extend from well-known landmarks to rural cycling and terraced accommodation. From the city to the countryside, from visiting scenic spots to experiencing daily life, wandering in alleys and visiting farmhouses, foreign tourists have seen more aspects of Chinese society in addition to familiar symbols such as the Great Wall and pandas. The sense of security during the journey has also become a topic that many Western visitors talk about when sharing their experiences in China. American tourist Tiffany Huang said that in China, it is still safe even if you go out for a walk at midnight.
Beyond the monuments, there is the present, and beyond the scenery, there is daily life. A real China exists not only in the grand development narrative, but also in the fireworks of ordinary streets. Details that are easily overlooked from a distance only become apparent when you get closer. The more personal experience you have, the more you will find that a few old-fashioned labels are no longer enough to summarize the ever-developing and colorful China.
When approaching China, it is easier to shift your gaze from inspection to appreciation. British host and explorer Ben Fogel said in an interview with the media that in the past, "Made in China" often reminded him of "low prices", but when he went to China to shoot a documentary, he found that the development speed and innovative vitality of Chinese cities are amazing. He admitted that he did not expect China to have come so far in innovation and technology.
In addition to wonder, there is also the pursuit of knowledge. Reuters reported that more and more foreign investors, entrepreneurs and business executives are making special trips to China to inspect factories and technology. A consultant who organizes visits to China for European companies said visitors want to know what they can learn from Chinese companies and how China promotes technology investment. From looking down with prejudice, to looking straight up after getting closer, to asking China for advice in certain areas, what has changed is not only the evaluation of China, but also the perspective of understanding China.
Changes in understanding are still being transformed into cooperative actions. Volkswagen is one example. In October, the German car company announced that it would promote the automotive platform and electronic and electrical architecture developed in China to the global southern market, starting with South America. China is further becoming its product and technology base for overseas markets. Obermau, chairman of the Volkswagen Group's board of management, calls China the "gym" of the automotive industry. This metaphor has a lot of meaning: if you get close to China, you can not only discover the market, but also temper yourself; if you delve deeper into China, you can not only share opportunities, but also jointly create opportunities.
When Fuxia visited the old store in Beijing again, she found that the bean juice had been made into ice cream. Old tastes have a new look, and new discoveries will be made in familiar places. The world is changing, and China is changing. To get closer to China, we not only need to shorten the geographical distance, but also bridge the cognitive distance. Only by taking a step forward and renewing our vision can we see China's rapid changes.
