by Al Kiyumi Bader Zahir Mohammed
Council Member of Oman Journalists Association, Oman
I had always heard about the beauty of China, its cultural diversity, and its economic expansion, but I did not imagine the extent of the magnificence I would witness until I visited this charming country five years ago. It is true when it is said that whoever hears is not the same as who sees. My trip to China was full of surprises and fascination that I will never forget. Recently, after I received an invitation to visit China in 2019 to witness the progress pursued by the Republic of China, I began researching this great country and preparing preparatory materials for this conference. Through reading articles by visitors to China, I was amazed by the admiration and fascination that the visitors recorded.
Truly the Historic landmarks are rich with unique architecture that describes the story of China’s progress during that era. Some of these landmarks include: The Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and other unique architectural landmarks. These monuments are not only a testament to engineering greatness, but also to artistry and attention to detail.
I started my trip in Beijing, a city that blends modernity and history in a big way. After touring Beijing, we decided to visit the Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Walking on this huge wall and looking at the beautiful landscapes around me made me feel the grandeur of this human achievement, an achievement that suggests that the Chinese people have been creative since ancient times, and that China’s civilisation spans thousands of years.
The next day, I visited the Forbidden City, an imperial palace that reflects the grandeur of life in ancient times. Wandering among the ornate buildings and beautiful gardens took me back to a distant historical era. I also visited the Temple of Heaven, or as it is called, the Vault of Heaven, where the visitor enjoys viewing its unique and magnificent architecture and the tranquil gardens surrounding it.
Afterwards we travelled to the city of Guilin, where the scenery is breathtaking. The boat ride on the river was an unforgettable experience as we enjoyed the view of Karst Mountains and green fields. The sunrise over the mountains was a magical moment that I will always remember. We also witnessed the Chinese New Year celebration. Watching the fireworks and traditional dances and interacting with the locals who welcome visitors with respect and appreciation, you will learn a lot about the customs and traditions that reflect the cultural richness of this great country.
My trip was not limited to exploring historical and natural places, but I also had the opportunity to visit some of Shanghai’s industrial and commercial areas. I was mesmerized at the amount of development and innovation in China, reflecting the spirit of hard work and diligence that characterizes the Chinese people.
My trip to China was a unique experience full of fascination and discoveries. The great diversity of terrain, culture and history, as well as the hospitality of the Chinese people, made this trip unforgettable. I would recommend everyone who has the opportunity to visit this wonderful country and discover its special charm.
Chinese civilization represents a tremendous cultural legacy, reflecting a long history of development and creativity. From philosophy and arts to science and literature, this civilization has influenced the course of human history and continues to inspire the world today. Understanding the Chinese civilization can provide us with valuable insights into the evolution of humanity and how to build sustainable civilizations that are rich in cultural diversity.
According to a recent report in the Omani newspaper, the report emphasized that Omani-Chinese relations are ancient: “The China-Omani friendship spans a long history and is renewed over time. 1200 years ago, the Omani sailor Abu Ubaidah sailed his ship to the Chinese city of Guangzhou, opening the way for exchanges between China and Oman and between Chinese and Arab civilizations. More than 600 years ago, the Chinese navigator Cheng He led his fleet on seven trips to the western Indian Ocean, and the fleets reached Dhofar four times, pushing friendly and commercial exchanges between our two countries. On 25 May 1978, the two countries established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level, opening a new page for the contemporary China-Omani relationship.”
The report added: “The Chinese and Omani economies are complementary and have great potential, and the two sides are working to promote the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and the (Vision 2040). In addition, practical cooperation between the two sides has seen continuous developments in infrastructure, energy, communication technology, electric power, fisheries and so on. At the beginning of diplomatic relations, the bilateral trade volume was only 10,000 US dollars. In 2022, the trade volume between China and Oman reached 40.45 billion US dollars, with China importing 39.4 million tonnes of oil and Oman’s trade balance surplus reaching 32 billion US dollars. China has been Oman’s largest trading partner and the largest importer of Omani oil for years, and Oman is China’s fourth largest trading partner in the Arab world. Economy and trade co-operation has brought great benefits to the two countries and its people and pushed forward the comprehensive development of bilateral relations.”
*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.