By Gamal Tawfik Abdelnaby Elsayed
Journalist Specializing in International Affairs of Broadcaster at the Egyptian National Media, Egypt
Chinese society is marked by respect for the law, adherence to rules, public cleanliness, and protection of public property from tampering or vandalism. Drivers there are distinguished by their respect for traffic laws and for following road rules. This appears to stem from a deep-rooted internal moral compass embedded in the minds and hearts of the great Chinese people. Over time, this has become a civil behavior and a hallmark of Chinese culture.
The Chinese are also characterized by friendliness and simplicity when dealing with foreigners. Although many of them do not speak any foreign languages, they still try their best to assist any foreign visitor. Although Muslims are a minority in this great nation, they are free to practice their religious rituals without any form of restriction or discrimination. Moreover, these Chinese Muslims are known for their affection toward Arabs.
Among the remarkable traits observed by visitors to China is the incredible variety of food—largely dominated by healthy, steamed dishes. A unique example is their preparation of fish as they add sugar to make it sweet. Their cuisine also features seaweed and vegetables, and notably, cold water is not served with meals—instead, warm or hot water accompanies the food.
Many Chinese cities are remarkable for their advanced urban planning, including dedicated lanes for bicycles and small vehicles. Chinese architectural design tends to favor vertical expansion rather than horizontal, with some residential buildings reaching over 40 floors. Amid this highly organized and vast urban life, another striking aspect of the Chinese lifestyle is the environment and climate. China boasts stunning natural landscapes, numerous rivers, and abundant water resources, including the Yangtze River—one of the longest rivers in the world—and the Yellow River, which flows through the sandy northern regions. Many parts of the country, especially the southeast, experience frequent rainfall.
The Chinese pay great attention to environmental preservation. Trees, shrubs, and public gardens dominate major cities, creating the feeling of walking through a massive park or forest. They also take exceptional care of agricultural lands, protecting them from desertification, and are highly active in combating climate change. Elevated bridges are constructed over farmland to preserve arable land.
When examining the role of the people in China, one finds that everything is “by the people and for the people.” The people are the core focus of the state and the ruling Communist Party. This is reflected in the wide range of benefits Chinese citizens enjoy, making them the center of attention for all government agencies, whose goal is to ensure a level of welfare and happiness that befits the world’s second-largest economy.
The Chinese extend great warmth to their friends, drawing from a national history full of struggle and hardship. They have suffered from poverty, deprivation, occupation, and war. But they gradually overcame these adversities, proudly lifting millions out of extreme poverty and turning their citizens into happy, fulfilled individuals.
In spreading these values and sharing their abundance, China has recently begun strengthening global communication and launching international initiatives aimed at transferring its development model—the Chinese path to modernization—to the world. China aspires to improve living conditions globally, viewing itself as a partner to all humanity. Just as it eliminated poverty at home, it seeks to help other nations do the same. Just as it achieved great development, it hopes others will too.
One of the most significant of these global initiatives is the “Community of Shared Future for Mankind”, championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to China’s white paper, all peoples, nations, and individuals must stand together in both good and difficult times, working toward greater harmony on this planet we all call home.
The white paper also calls for building an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world marked by lasting peace, global security, and shared prosperity. It aims to turn people’s aspirations for a better life into tangible reality.
Indeed, China continuously welcomes delegations and sends specialists across disciplines, ensuring they gain the expertise, knowledge, and experience necessary to benefit from China’s technological, scientific, societal, and organizational advancements. China actively transfers its technology to developing countries, sharing its experience with cooperative states. Rather than hoarding this technology, China enables nations to adopt, manage, and develop it independently.
Undoubtedly, the first impression that comes to mind when mentioning China is its massive population—approaching 1.4 billion people—and the imagined overcrowding this may cause in a vast country. However, this impression quickly changes upon visiting the land that hosts the world’s most iconic wall, the Great Wall of China. What visitors find instead is an orderly, simple life in a country that nurtured one of the world’s oldest civilizations and is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes and numerous tourist attractions.
China’s vast tourism potential, its growing stature as a global economic power, its manufacturing dominance, open trade policies, and expanding foreign investment have all contributed to significant growth in the tourism sector. This progress aligns with the nation’s broader economic development and ushers in a new era of prosperity—making China the fourth most visited country in the world.
Conclusion
China holds a special place in the hearts of Arabs, regardless of their political or intellectual affiliations. China unites rather than divides. This clean historical record—rooted in mutual respect and economic cooperation—lays the foundation for even stronger Sino-Arab relations in the future. Just as language helped America and Britain achieve cultural presence in the region, we hope the Chinese language gains similar influence, as it is one of the most effective gateways for building lasting connections between peoples.
*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.