By Leang Delux
Co-founder and Publisher of Thmeythmey Digital Media, Cambodia
China impressed me since I was a child. I grew up watching Chinese traditional dramas through which I was learning about China.
One of the first things that stood out to me was the importance of respect and hierarchy in social relationships. Whether it was in the way people greeted one another, addressed elders, or interacted in public, there was a visible sense of courtesy and formality. This was especially noticeable within families, where younger generations showed deep respect for their elders, and family bonds were clearly a central part of life.
With the similar thing, I am also very impressed that the family name is important in Chinese culture. Two different persons having the same family name think they must have the same ancestors.
Drink wine while composing poem had become a popular expression in Cambodia. And this came from Chinese movies. Movies and Books are the channels driving Cambodian people knowing inspiring theories of great Chinese scholars and educator like Confucius. Confucian values continue to influence behavior, respect, duty, and the importance of education.
Food is a part of culture of cause. I learned that certain foods are eaten during festivals or important life events because of their symbolic meanings, such as dumplings during Chinese New Year representing wealth and prosperity. In Cambodia, we learn that the yellow noodles represent longevity. Sharing food and enjoying meals together wasn’t just about nourishment, but about connection.
As China is a super power country, I am still exploring China – a modern China- that fascinates me. Through the Belt and Road initiative, I am interested in one word: the shared future. This shows that how Chinese leaders behave with modesty in working with countries they call friends.
Chinese culture is something to experience and reflect upon. What I have just raised above was not only educational but also deeply inspiring, and it left me eager to learn more.
*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.