The Modernization of a Country is Not Just About Skyscrapers or Highways, But About the Faces You Meet and the Friendships You Form
My Experience in China: A Country in Motion, Yet Deeply Human
After spending four months in China, I returned home with an experience that goes beyond a simple trip. I discovered a country in the midst of modernization, yet deeply attached to its traditions and open to dialogue. From Wuxi to Chengdu and Xinjiang, I witnessed the contrast between futuristic infrastructure and human encounters, and I measured what "Chinese-style modernization" truly means and how it can inspire our own paths in Tunisia and Africa.
As soon as I arrived in Beijing, China gave me the impression of a country that is both immense and intimate. Immense in its roads, skyscrapers, and high-speed trains that connect distant cities in just a few hours. Intimate in the smiles of passersby, the simple gestures of hospitality, and the genuine curiosity of its inhabitants to understand where I came from. I first perceived modernization in this contrast: a country racing towards the future, yet not forgetting to welcome foreigners with warmth.
When China Modernizes Without Losing Its Soul
In Wuxi, in the Jiangsu province, I discovered a city that embodies this harmony between past and present. Bordering Lake Taihu, one of China's largest lakes, it is nicknamed the "pearl of Jiangnan." Its well-manicured gardens, ancient temples, and canals evoke traditional China, as found in books and paintings. However, just a few streets away, modern industrial parks, research laboratories, and innovative companies rise. This duality fascinated me: Chinese-style modernization does not consist of erasing the past, but rather of dialoguing with it.
With a group of local friends, we explored a traditional souk and shared delicious dishes. Amidst laughter and lively discussions, we exchanged stories about our cultures, traditions, and visions for the future. I felt their pride in transmitting to the new generation a balance between access to modern education and attachment to ancestral customs.
Chengdu: A City of Contrasts
Chengdu, my second stop, revealed another face of China. The city is famous for its giant pandas, universal symbols of gentleness and nature protection. However, behind this symbol lies a regional capital in full effervescence. The avenues are lined with high-tech startups, public transportation is exemplary, and the city is ranked among the most pleasant to live in in China.
What touched me in Chengdu was not only the efficiency of the infrastructure but also the art of living that emanates from it. In the tea houses, I saw inhabitants spending hours discussing, savoring the slowness of a shared moment. This scene reminded me of Tunis and our popular cafes: proof that modernization does not erase the need for conviviality, but rather reinforces it.
Xinjiang: A True Discovery
If I had to retain one stage, it would be Xinjiang. A vast and diverse region, located at the crossroads of China, it is a melting pot of cultures, languages, and traditions. Before arriving, I knew mostly the media images, often reductionist and far from reality. What I discovered on site deeply moved me.
In Urumqi, the regional capital, I was struck by the mix: lively markets with aromas of spices, musicians playing traditional instruments, ancient mosques alongside modern universities and rapid roads. In the bazaars, vendors welcomed me with curiosity and kindness, often surprised to hear that I came from Tunisia. Some told me they knew our country as a tourist destination, while others dreamed of visiting the Mediterranean.
However, beyond the landscapes and traditions, it was the humanity of Xinjiang that left the greatest impression on me. I remember an evening spent with a Uyghur family who opened their home to me with generosity. Around a rich and flavorful meal, we talked about our respective customs. They wanted to know how Tunisians celebrated Eid, what music we listened to, and how we transmitted our traditions to our children. In return, they showed me local dances and taught me a few words of their language.
These simple and sincere moments made me understand that Chinese modernization is not reduced to infrastructure; it also includes the will to coexist with differences in respect.
Lasting Encounters
These human encounters were not ephemeral. In Beijing, between walks in the lively alleys of the hutongs, visits to temples, and moments shared in cafes and tea houses, I formed sincere bonds with several Chinese friends. We shared our personal stories, customs, and passions, discussed our dreams for the future and our cultural differences, often with humor and mutual curiosity. These daily exchanges allowed me to understand China differently: behind the skyscrapers and impressive technologies, there is an open and willing society to create connections. These lasting friendships are, for me, proof that Chinese-style modernization is not limited to infrastructure; it also has a profoundly human dimension, capable of building bridges between peoples.
During my stay, I also met several Tunisians living in Beijing. Their paths are testimonies to success and inspiration. Some are students in prestigious universities, others renowned journalists, and others entrepreneurs who have managed to create economic bridges between China and Tunisia.
We exchanged stories about their experiences, challenges, and projects, and I was struck by the passion and perseverance that drives them. These Tunisians are, in my eyes, true ambassadors of Sino-Tunisian friendship: every day, through their work, they embody the cooperation between our two countries.
A Modernization that Inspires Tunisia
This trip allowed me to understand that Chinese-style modernization is not a unique model to reproduce, but an experience from which we can draw lessons. China has chosen its own path, adapted to its realities, rooted in its history, and turned towards the future. This approach can inspire Tunisia and Africa.
We too need to invest in infrastructure, develop innovation, and valorize our cultural heritage. But what China has shown me is that development only makes sense if it remains close to citizens, improves their daily lives, and respects their identity.
Upon leaving China, I did not only bring back images of futuristic cities or impressive landscapes. I mostly brought back faces, voices, smiles, and friendships. I discovered a country in motion, yet profoundly human. And it is this humanity that, in my eyes, makes the true strength of China and nourishes the friendship between our two countries.
China is, today, more than an economic power. It is a partner, a friend, a country that knows how to conjugate the past and the future, diversity and unity, modernity and human warmth. And perhaps this is the greatest lesson of my trip: to modernize, yes, but always keeping at the heart what makes us profoundly human.
