An increasing number of Chinese studying or working abroad are becoming vloggers, sharing interesting stories about their daily lives in foreign countries on video platforms and recording moments of different cultures fusing. Their work has opened a window for more people to know about the world, serving as a bridge for cultural exchange between China and other countries.
Using the guzheng to help the world understand China
Peng Jingxuan, 27 years old, has been learning the guzheng, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, since childhood. After graduating from the Wuhan Conservatory of Music with a degree in Chinese music in 2017, Peng went to France to pursue studies in music theory.
Photo shows Peng Jingxuan. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)
Peng has attracted over 15 million followers on Chinese video-sharing and social media platforms such as Bilibili, Douyin, and Weibo. She also has millions of followers on international social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram.
\”Previously, I focused on the practical aspects of guzheng playing through systematic learning. In my graduate studies, I wanted to delve into music theory and explore different musical systems, which is why I came to France,\” she said.
There, she encountered many artists performing on the streets, playing the piano, violin and clarinet.
Although Peng had been studying the guzheng for many years, she had only performed in formal indoor settings such as music halls. Showcasing her talents on the streets made her a bit nervous.
\”This required courage for me, and I had been hesitant for a while. Eventually, I decided to push myself and enhance my performance skills in unfamiliar surroundings,\” said Peng.
Peng Jingxuan plays the guzheng on a street in France. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)
In the summer of 2018, wearing a Chinese-style white dress, Peng put on a guzheng performance for the first time on the square of the Grand Theatre of Bordeaux in France.
\”The square was teeming with people, and I felt a tinge of nervousness before beginning to play. But once I started, I concentrated on executing each piece and delivering a standard performance,\” Peng recalled.
As her performance concluded, Peng was met with enthusiastic applause from the onlookers. Her street debut had been more successful than she expected.
\”After the performance, many people didn\’t want to leave. They gathered around me, asking about the instrument, where it came from, and the pieces I played. This made me realize that street performances with the guzheng can expose foreign citizens to Chinese traditional music and culture. So I definitely want to continue performing on the streets,\” she said.
Peng then prepared a small box with a sign that read \”Chinese Guzheng,\” along with brief introductions to the guzheng in English and French. Occasionally, she would also print brochures introducing Chinese musical instruments and put small guzheng models in the box to give to interested audience members.
During each street performance, Peng would ask her friends to help record her performance and share it online. \”Gradually, more and more people started to pay attention to me, which made me feel a greater sense of responsibility, so I wanted to present fresh and diverse content in each performance,\” Peng said.
She carefully selected her repertoire for each performance, which included traditional guzheng classics, popular ancient-style songs popular with young people, as well as some English and French songs, bringing new vitality to the ancient instrument.
Peng was also meticulous in her choice of costumes for the performances. She believes that Hanfu, the traditional Chinese attire, perfectly matches the guzheng.
When performing on foreign streets, the Hanfu would create a visual contrast with the local scenery and architecture, adding a touch of romance to her shows.
Peng has showcased her talent in many countries such as Switzerland, Spain and Italy, among others. She has compiled a captivating video collection titled \”Traveling with Guzheng – Seeing the World.\”
Peng habitually carries her guzheng and a speaker with her wherever she travels, and is always ready to give a street performance. She has brought Chinese traditional music to more places, allowing her followers to experience the beauty of different landscapes around the world.
“More people should know about the richness and excellence of Chinese traditional culture. Music exchange is one of the most direct forms of cultural exchange. I hope that through my performances, everyone can experience China\’s cultural confidence. I also look forward to establishing a guzheng club overseas, where I can teach and share my knowledge with more people who have a passion for Chinese folk music,\” said Peng.
Teaching Chinese to Africans
On Sept. 16, 26-year-old Lu Weiyi posted a video titled \”Hello everyone, I\’m back\” on Bilibili, which received over 200,000 views. In the video, she was seen tearfully packing her bags and hugging the African students who had come to bid her farewell.
Lu, who majored in teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages, went to the African island country of Comoros to teach Chinese in 2019.
Photo shows Lu Weiyi. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)
Lu admitted that she didn\’t know much about this country initially. When she first found out that she would be teaching in Comoros, her family was a bit worried.
\”After all, it was my first time living so far away on my own. But deep down, I was very excited. If I could go to Africa, it would definitely be an unforgettable memory for a lifetime!\”
Lu was excited to arrive in the foreign country, and eager to experience a different and thrilling lifestyle. Despite the initial challenges and unfamiliarity she encountered upon arrival, she quickly adapted to the new surroundings after a week or two.
Lu\’s teaching tasks were challenging. She taught Chinese at the University of Comoros, a Chinese interest class in a primary school, and a weekend social interest class.
\”Despite the busy workload, I appreciated the chance to engage with students of various age groups. I have taught students as young as seven or eight years old, all the way up to individuals in their sixties or seventies,\” Lu said proudly.
Lu Weiyi poses for a picture with her African students. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)
During her teaching journey, Lu vividly experienced the popularity of Chinese culture in the local community.
\”When we organized enrolment activities for the social interest class, many locals showed great interest. They were particularly excited when we mentioned that they could learn not only Chinese but also Chinese martial arts, like Tai Chi. They eagerly signed up, and as time went on, many students even brought their families and friends along,\” said Lu.
In her spare time, Lu started vlogging, sharing her daily life on the internet.
After spending four years in Comoros, Lu\’s online following grew steadily. Her videos introduced Comoros to many netizens for the first time, leaving them in awe of the stunning island landscapes. They were also amazed to find that Lu\’s African students could speak Chinese fluently and write Chinese characters with proficiency.
While she was in Comoros, Lu successfully passed the examination and became an official Chinese government-sponsored teacher abroad. In September 2023, she completed her teaching tenure in Comoros and returned to China.
Lu has said she intends to apply for another overseas assignment in Africa, aiming to further contribute to the promotion of Chinese culture.
Sharing daily life in Thailand through short videos
\”I like to share, and making videos has always been my hobby,\” said 25-year-old Wang Qingqing, who has been working in Thailand for over a year and has published more than 120 videos.
After graduating from university in June 2022, Wang came to Thailand to teach Chinese through a program offered by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
Photo shows Wang Qingqing. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)
After quickly developing a deep affection for the country, she decided to record her experiences through videos. Initially, these videos were meant for her parents, but to her surprise, they gained attention from a wider audience.
Encouraged by the positive response, Wang started sharing her teaching stories and experiences with a larger online community.
\”I\’m currently teaching at a high school in Samut Prakan Province, Thailand. The students enjoy being in front of the camera and we often film videos together. Sometimes, I even do live-streaming and the students enthusiastically participate, dancing and singing,\” said Wang.
After spending so much time with her students, Wang feels that there is hardly any generation gap between them.
Wang Qingqing teaches the Chinese language to Thai students. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)
\”When I chatted with the students, I was surprised to find out that they were also familiar with Chinese TV dramas and celebrities. There were even popular Chinese dramas that I hadn\’t watched yet, but the Thai students had already seen them and recommended them to me. They used the international version of Chinese video apps to stay updated on the latest episodes,\” said Wang.
\”Apart from TV dramas, my students also enjoy listening to ancient Chinese music and reading ancient novels online. In Thai bookstores, the best-selling sections are filled with a variety of Chinese ancient novels, available in both the Chinese version and translated into Thai. These novels are very popular and in high demand,\” Wang expressed.
Wang also noticed that many Thai students use WeChat, particularly those who are learning Chinese. They are skilled in using various Chinese social media apps and willingly engage in conversations with Chinese on these platforms to boost their Chinese language skills.