Li Xiade is an Austrian sinologist and professor at the University of Vienna. He is a member of the World Chinese Language Teaching Association and the Council of the World Congress of Sinology, mainly engaged in research on classical and modern Chinese literature, as well as cultural exchanges between China and the West. Since 2006, Li Xiade has served as the Austrian Dean of the Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna. Over the past 18 years, he has led the Confucius Institute to establish teaching sites in four federal states of Austria and established long-term cooperative relationships with numerous local institutions. In 2013 and 2014, Li Xiade won the title of "exemplary individual" of the Confucius Institute twice, and in 2024, he was awarded the "Light of the Confucius Institute" nameplate. My story with China dates back to 1973, when in October of that year, the University of Vienna established a Department of Sinology and I was one of the first students. By chance, I applied for the Chinese government scholarship and boarded a train to China in 1974, studying for two semesters at Beijing Language Institute (now Beijing Language and Culture University). It was this academic visit that opened the door for me to understand China. It can be said that being in China is a lifelong blessing for me. From 1973 until now, I have been immersed in the world of Chinese and have formed an inseparable bond with China. For 50 years, I have always believed in the saying in the Analects of Confucius, 'Learn and practice at the right time, don't hesitate!'. I spent nearly 10 days studying Chinese at the University of Vienna before heading to Beijing from Vienna for further studies. The 14 hour Chinese language course per week is taught by Professor Luo Zhide, the head of the Department of Sinology. This highly educated sinologist has laid a solid language foundation for us with his excellent courses in Chinese grammar and phonetics. Coinciding with the historic moment of the establishment of the library in the Department of Sinology, I was fortunate enough to participate in this groundbreaking work. The books from the initial stage are temporarily stored in a bathroom, and I am responsible for cataloging them. In the process of carrying out my work, these books have become my closest companions. At the same time, I also began to carefully manage my personal book collection. After about half a century of accumulation, my personal collection of books has now reached nearly 9000 volumes. It is worth mentioning that in the 1970s and 1980s, I personally subscribed to nearly a hundred Chinese journals, including various types such as quarterly and monthly magazines. In 1974, I departed from Vienna and spent nearly 10 days arriving in Beijing. During my studies in China, I bought many books. When I returned to Vienna from Beijing in the late summer of 1975, I had as many as 11 suitcases and several boxes. Looking back now, carrying so many books alone and taking the train back to Vienna, I still find it unbelievable. After obtaining my doctoral degree in 1978, I began my teaching career at the University of Vienna. So far, I have been working here for about 90 semesters. My greatest satisfaction is being able to share the essence of Chinese culture with countless students. In addition to teaching at the University of Vienna, I also serve as a teacher at the Vienna Diplomatic Academy. In the 1980s and 1990s, the courses I taught included Chinese language and Chinese literature. In the past 20 years, my teaching focus has shifted towards Chinese literature, including ancient and modern literature. My postdoctoral thesis is titled "Literary Theory of Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties", which mainly focuses on the important literature "Wenxin Diaolong", which taught me how to view the world. In order to express my respect for 'Wenxin Diaolong', I also named the publication of the Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna 'Wenxin'. In the field of modern Chinese literature, I particularly focus on the study of Lu Xun and his contemporaries, while maintaining a sustained interest in Chinese poetry and novels. To promote literary exchanges between China and Austria, I have also invited Chinese writers to Vienna several times to hold book clubs. In 1998, the University of Vienna appointed me as a special advisor for cooperation with China. During this period, I successfully promoted a number of cooperation agreements with Peking University, Renmin University of China, China University of Political Science and Law and other Chinese universities. In addition, I also promote the establishment of the "China Forum" as a platform for cultural exchange between Austria and China. I participated in the establishment of Confucius Institute and served as the Dean of Austria for 18 years. In May 2006, during my visit to Beijing with the President of the University of Vienna, I specifically visited the former Hanban. After the signing of the memorandum of cooperation between both parties, I was appointed to be responsible for the preparation work of jointly building the Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna with Beijing Foreign Studies University. In September of the same year, the Confucius Institute held its unveiling ceremony in Austria. From participating in the establishment of Confucius Institute until retiring at the end of 2024, I had the privilege of serving as the Dean of the Austrian side for 18 years - from initially exploring independently to gradually welcoming Chinese deans, international Chinese teachers, and international Chinese education volunteers, our team has gradually grown stronger. To fulfill the purpose of the Confucius Institute, we have systematically offered Chinese language courses ranging from A1 to C2 levels, and regularly hold the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK). I have always adhered to the concept that language learning and cultural understanding complement each other, so I have organized a large number of activities to showcase Chinese culture, such as scholar lectures, recitations by Chinese writers, Chinese music concerts, and exhibitions of Chinese painting, calligraphy, and photography. The content is rich and the forms are diverse, constructing a three-dimensional and vivid picture of Chinese culture. Every year, the Confucius Institute will participate in the "United Nations Chinese Day" and other activities held by the United Nations Office at Vienna, and jointly create a special TV program "China Olympic Meeting Room" with the Chinese and Austrian media, which not only shows the latest activities of the Confucius Institute, but also introduces the culture of China and Austria to promote the understanding of the two peoples. A major highlight of the Confucius Institute event was the joint conference of some Confucius Institutes in Europe held in 2012. My carefully prepared "triple surprise" left unforgettable memories for guests from China and various European countries: given Vienna's reputation as the "Capital of Music", the first surprise was to invite the Vienna Children's Choir to perform at the welcome banquet; Secondly, commemorative stamps showcasing the original site of the Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna were specially printed; The third surprise was presented after the banquet - as guests looked down at the night view of the city, dazzling fireworks spelled out the two Chinese characters "Confucius" in the night sky. The Confucius Institute has also established a partnership with the Mozart Museum, organizing performances combining Chinese music and Mozart's works under the theme of "China Meets Mozart - Mozart Meets China" every year, presenting a feast of the integration of Chinese and Austrian music, and thus building a bridge of communication between the two. It is worth mentioning that we organized a concert featuring Gustav Mahler's "Song of the Earth" by a world-renowned tenor singer. This famous work includes poems by famous Chinese poets such as Li Bai, and the performance has built a cultural bridge that spans time and space. In order to introduce modern and contemporary Chinese literature, we held a recitation of Lu Xun's works, including "The True Story of Ah Q" and "Kong Yiji". Over the years, we have introduced Chinese writers such as Mo Yan, Yu Hua, Liu Zhenyun, and Mai Jia. Mr. Zhou Lingfei, the grandson of Lu Xun, also visited and exchanged ideas. Throughout my 50 year teaching career, I have always advocated the educational philosophy of "integrating knowledge with action". In the past 50 years, from my early days when I visited China at least once a year, to later times when I traveled back and forth almost every month. I also encourage students to step out of campus, draw wisdom from classics, and experience true knowledge through social practice. Approaching China and witnessing 50 years of development and changes. In 1974, during my summer studies in Beijing, I took a train from Beijing to Guangzhou and even to Bao'an County (now Shenzhen). At that time, what I saw in front of me was a small fishing village. After decades, I revisit this place and am amazed by the earth shattering changes it has undergone. It can be said that Shenzhen is a microcosm of the changes I have witnessed in China over the past 50 years. Not only has China's economic and social development left a deep impression on me, but its cultural heritage has also amazed me. I have visited the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, the exhibition of "Han Tombs at Mawangdui in Changsha", and have all felt the charm of cultural heritage across time and space. For 50 years, I have often taken Austrian friends, colleagues, and students to visit these cultural treasures in China and conveyed my love for Chinese cultural heritage to them. The ancient Chinese philosophical thought has always been one of my focuses of attention. The combination of the "Dao De Jing" saying "Dao Ke Dao, Extraordinary Dao" and the "Analects" saying "Learn and practice it at the right time, doesn't that mean?" can open the door to Chinese culture. The understanding of Confucianism and Taoism can provide a broad perspective for interpreting Chinese literature, art, and social history. Against the backdrop of various challenges facing the international community today, Confucianism and Taoism in China have great reference value. In the past 50 years, I have traveled to China, from Shanghai to Xinjiang, from Heilongjiang to Hainan, from Jiayuguan to Shanhaiguan. The most profound feeling is that the mode of transportation has changed: in the 1970s, trains slowly passed through the land, but now, high-speed trains have surpassed China's speed; In the 1970s, when I first arrived in China, I rode my bicycle through the streets and alleys of Beijing, covering a total distance of over 2000 kilometers. At that time, there were very few vehicles on the roads in Beijing, and the city was also very quiet at night. Now, there is a constant flow of traffic. During the trip, I was lucky to meet Chinese people from different professions and regions. These beautiful encounters gave me a deeper and more intuitive understanding of China. I have also accompanied the Austrian delegation to visit China, contributing to the promotion of cultural exchanges. I firmly believe in the importance of cultural exchange to the world. We not only have a responsibility to promote mutual understanding between countries, nations, and cultures, but also to promote mutual understanding between individuals. Language is an important way to build communication bridges and enhance understanding. There is an important novel in ancient Chinese literature called "Dream of the Red Chamber", also known as "The Story of the Stone". As a sinologist, it is necessary to repeatedly study this literary masterpiece. Looking back at the decades since my connection with China, I compare this experience to the story of "from studying 'The Story of the Stone' to building a cultural exchange bridge". This story tells the story of my modest contribution to building a cultural exchange bridge between China and Austria, and even between China and the world. I sincerely hope that everyone can realize the responsibility they bear for this wonderful world and cultural diversity, and work together to build our civilized home. (New Society)