Echoes of the East in Blood: A Lingnan Reader by Wu Yinying, a Cultural ferryman between China and Germany
2025-12-08
On October 11, 1972, China and Germany officially established diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation in Sino German relations. Both sides have maintained close exchanges and cooperation in politics, economy, culture, technology and other aspects, with close high-level exchanges, continuous consolidation of strategic mutual trust, and fruitful practical cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries. In this context, cultural and educational exchanges have always played an indispensable role. In 2025, LeaWoo, who is of mixed Chinese and German descent, embarked on a journey of exchange and learning in China with a curiosity for Chinese culture. In her eyes, China, as an open and dynamic major country, not only broadens her horizons, but also illuminates her future development direction - striving to promote Sino German exchanges. LeaWoo's bloodline tracing: the four generations of inheritance of a "Chinese seed": "My great grandfather was Chinese and used to be the royal chef of the Saudi king. Later, he went to Berlin and opened the first Chinese restaurant in the area. Later, my grandfather inherited this Chinese sentiment and opened his own Chinese restaurant in Germany. ”Speaking of fate with China, a gentle light shone in Wu Yinying's eyes. She recalled that the stories about ancient temples in China told by her grandfather, and the Stir-fried tomato and scrambled eggs never absent from the dinner table... became the most familiar and warm existence in her life. In Wu Yinying's growing years, Chinese and German cultures have always intertwined with her daily life. The festivals at home are always filled with the fun of "mixing and matching": during Christmas, hot pot is placed on the table next to the Christmas tree; As the Spring Festival approaches, elders speak blessings in German and offer red envelopes with smiles; On the night of Mid Autumn Festival, the family not only enjoys the moon and mooncakes, but also shares traditional German desserts. When I was a child, I was always curious why our family's life was different from that of our neighbors. Later, I realized that this difference was not a barrier, but a unique gift bestowed upon me by two cultures, "said Wu Yinying. The seed of Chinese had quietly taken root in her heart a long time ago. In the children's Chinese class in Germany, the time of stumbling to learn Pinyin and recognize Chinese characters in Sunday school allowed her to experience the unique charm of Chinese for the first time - the shapes are like paintings, and the tones are like songs. Although I stuttered and couldn't even organize complete sentences at that time, I really enjoyed reading ancient poems with my teacher. Every word made me feel like there was a story, hiding the unique charm and warmth of the East, "Wu Yinying recalled. For her, Chinese has never been a cold communication tool, but a cultural carrier with warmth, an emotional bond that connects her with her ancestors' memories and distant China. This curiosity and closeness born of language gradually brought out the deep-rooted concerns hidden in the heart, and eventually grew into the determination to study in China. For her, studying in China as an exchange student is no longer just a learning experience, but more like a journey to find her roots. She eagerly looked forward to personally visiting the place where her great grandfather set off, listening to the ancient temple bells in his mouth, and touching the cultural roots in her own bloodline. Her parents also fully support her choice. They have always encouraged me to see and feel, saying that it is also a part of my life. This story, which has lasted for four generations, is not just about the family's wandering and struggle, but more like a seed quietly planted. Through the infiltration of time and fireworks, it finally gave birth to roots in her generation and led towards the east. Lingnan Notes: When Wu Yinying first arrived in Guangzhou, she also felt a little uneasy about the new appearance of China in the "Cultural Reader". Previously, her understanding of China came from books, photos, and old stories told by her grandfather. If she really wanted to live here, it would be false to say she wasn't worried. But soon, the inclusiveness and vitality of this city dispelled her concerns. The vitality of Guangzhou lies not in the high-rise buildings, but in the incessant heat and sound on the streets and alleys day after day. The subway runs in all directions and crisscrosses, carrying her from the campus to the streets and alleys of the old city. Guangzhou is very different from what I imagined. Its internationalization blends with the daily hustle and bustle, even though the pace of life is fast, it always leaves a sense of ease in life, "said Wu Yinying. She began to measure the two sides of the city with her footsteps: under the arcade, there were decades old shops hidden among the mottled brick walls, and the owners were shouting in Cantonese, their voices mixed with hot air, making people feel down-to-earth and friendly; At the corner, I stumbled upon an inconspicuous sugar water shop and ordered a bowl of chilled mung bean paste - the coolness spread from my tongue, as if instantly suppressing the heat of the entire city. She finally understood that a sense of belonging does not necessarily come from everything familiar, sometimes it is precisely these subtle and gentle fragments of life that quietly take root. These firsthand experiences make abstract China on the pages of the book and in people's homes tangible and accessible. She sighed and said, "China's modernity is not a replica of the West, but a fusion of its own culture with its own characteristics." In October 2025, Wu Yinying participated in a three-day "Perceive China, Green Charm, Shaoguan, Create and Enjoy the Future" study tour, and went deep into Shaoguan with 61 foreign students from 26 countries studying in Guangdong to experience local culture and witness the practical achievements of rural revitalization in China. She believes that Shaoguan is a microcosm of the integration of rural development and modern technology in China. "There are rapidly developing science and technology parks here, as well as ancient villages that have been fully protected." This seemingly contradictory scene coexists harmoniously and constitutes a key to her understanding of contemporary China. Wu Yinying (first from the left) visits Shuangfengzhai in Shaoguan. Walking in Shaoguan, Wu Yinying saw that modern agricultural technology had penetrated into the fields, and behind the screens of live streaming e-commerce were endless green mountains and fields; Touching the texture of ancient village walls that have gone through hundreds of years with her own hands, and living adjacent to intelligent production lines and intangible cultural heritage workshops... These scenes made her realize that China's rural revitalization is not a one-way modernization project, but a systematic practice that seeks balance between protection and development - technology injects new vitality into traditional culture, while culture provides deep support for social development. Here, 'development' is not a negation of the past, but a dialogue and mutual improvement between tradition and the future, "said Wu Yinying. This path of integration and symbiosis not only changed her impression of rural China, but also showed her a more inclusive and sustainable development practice. Wu Yinying (first from the right) is experiencing ceramic production in Shaoguan. What amazed Wu Yinying even more was that this development vitality not only exists in the industrial transformation of rural areas, but also allows her to clearly see the prosperous scene of interconnection, co construction and sharing in the Greater Bay Area: high-speed rail makes cross city commuting as common as taking the subway; Cross border payments can be automatically converted into exchange rate payments by simply scanning the mobile wallet page; The diversity of social media content has become her "digital guide" for exploring cities. She sighed, 'Technology is not a cold tool here, but a link between efficiency and warmth, connecting tradition and modernity.' These conveniences integrated into daily life have made Wu Yinying deeply understand China's development concept of 'technology for good', and have also made her more convinced that this dynamic and innovative China is the fertile ground for the future development of many fields. Observation in the field of education has opened another window for Wu Yinying to understand China. What impressed her the most was the focus and self-discipline of Chinese students towards their studies. 'Learning is a habit, not a task,' and this dedication left her amazed. She said, "That kind of wholehearted purity is particularly infectious, and I can't help but follow it to study." She also found that although there are differences in pace between the Chinese and German education systems, there is a wonderful resonance in the spiritual core of encouraging independent thinking. Whether in Chinese or German universities, teachers are willing to listen and answer questions, and the classroom atmosphere is open and equal. ”She specifically mentioned that "the encouragement of independent thinking, tolerance for diverse voices, and the meticulousness of 'everyone can be seen' in small class teaching in Chinese universities are particularly similar to the German education atmosphere that I am familiar with." For her, experiencing China's education system firsthand has truly helped her understand the importance that China places on education. From the inclusive attitude of the city to the diverse atmosphere of society, from the rapid iteration of technology to the long-standing culture, all of these are constantly broadening Wu Yinying's horizons. She gradually realized that on this land, personal struggle and the progress of the times always resonate with each other, and what supports all of this is a value identity deeply rooted in cultural genes. What touched me the most was the Chinese people's cherishing of their families and loyalty to their country. This sentiment, which extends from family affection to the homeland, allowed her to touch the spiritual context behind the development of Chinese society. For her, the changes in China are not only driven by technology or economy, but also stem from an inherent cohesion - the connection between individuals and families, and the connection between families and the country, forming a continuous centripetal force. The family is the foundation, and the collective is the wings. The two intertwine to form the most resilient growth force of this land, "she sighed. It is this cohesion between the family and the country that gives China's development both warmth and strength. Ferry to the Future: Continuation of Sino German Friendship from the Perspective of Youth. In the first three quarters of 2025, the bilateral trade volume between China and Germany reached 185.9 billion euros, and China once again became Germany's largest trading partner. At the same time, Germany is not only China's largest trading partner in the European Union, but also China's largest source of technology introduction and important investor in Europe. In recent years, China has continued to promote new industrialization and green transformation, with an increasing demand for high-end equipment, automation systems, new energy equipment and other products, which are precisely the advantageous areas of German manufacturing. Wu Yinying stated that China's acceleration towards modernization will also provide new development opportunities for German and European enterprises. For German companies, China is not only an important export destination for Germany, but also an important partner for industrial cooperation and technology investment. She cited the example of new energy electric vehicles: "German and Chinese companies cooperate to develop in car systems, and in turn, Chinese produced batteries are exported to Germany in large quantities, becoming an important support for the local electric vehicle industry. Everyone contributes their own strengths, which not only solves the technical bottleneck but also reduces costs." In her opinion, the booming development of cross-border e-commerce is building an intangible bridge for people to people exchanges between countries. By purchasing each other's products, we are actually experiencing each other's lifestyles. This invisible interaction based on daily needs makes cultural understanding more natural. In addition, as a natural "cross-cultural person," Wu Yinying has a profound understanding of the role played by international youth in promoting cross-cultural dialogue. She believes that international youth are the most dynamic and penetrating force in promoting cultural exchanges between different countries. Our generation grew up in the digital age, accustomed to sharing our lives on social media, and willing to understand differences with an open mind. "She shared that she often records her daily life in China on social platforms - from a meal in a cafeteria to a rural visit. These real fragments of life often move relatives and friends in Germany more than news narratives. In her opinion, international youth can not only overcome language barriers, but also build channels of understanding between different modes of thinking and emotions. Wu Yinying believes that as more and more young people take the initiative to become such "cultural ferryman", their biases will dissolve into the tangible
Edit:QuanYi Responsible editor:Wang Xiaoxiao
Source:outlooknewera.com
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