VI. The Chinese Ismail

(1) The Chinese Ismail

As my time as a mediator at the police station in Wuhan extended, my involvement in various matters grew. Not only did those around me become aware of my role, but many back in my home country, Somalia, also heard of my activities. Having spent many years in China and even marrying a beautiful Chinese woman, I've made this country my home. In my homeland, many people affectionately refer to me as "Chinese Ismail," and the mere mention of Ismail in China instantly brings me to their minds.

One year, during a trip to Beijing where I visited the Great Wall, I encountered a group of compatriots. After introducing myself by name, one of them asked in astonishment, "Are you the famous ‘Ismail’? The Chinese Ismail?" I confirmed his suspicion, and to his great surprise, he hadn't expected to meet me in person. We even took a photo together to commemorate the encounter.

For anyone among our compatriots who seeks to learn more about China or wishes to study or work here, others often recommend that they reach out to "Chinese Ismail." After hearing my stories about what I've seen and experienced in China, they would become curious and eager to come here for their own exploration.

I've facilitated the journey of approximately twenty Somali students to China. These self-supporting students varied in socioeconomic backgrounds, with some hailing from affluent families and others from more modest ones. However, they all shared a deep curiosity about China. Typically, their path involves a year of Chinese language study, followed by specialization in various fields at universities across different Chinese cities. Some would return to Somalia after completing their undergraduate or postgraduate studies, while a smaller group would decide to stay in China for further education. Among those who returned home, some have found employment as translators in local Chinese companies, or ventured to neighboring countries to work for Chinese firms. Nevertheless, a significant number would opt to remain in China, pursuing careers in trade. In our homeland, there is a strong preference for various Chinese products such as electronics, clothing, and shoes. As demand remains high, Somali traders in China have managed to establish prosperous livelihoods.

Take my high school classmate, Hamm, as an example. During his undergraduate years, he chose to study in India. However, when he pursued his postgraduate studies, I strongly recommended that he come to China. At the time, I suggested that he enroll in the MBA program at Wuhan University of Technology. Following the completion of his postgraduate studies in China, he secured a position with a prominent multinational trading company in Qatar. We remain in regular contact, and he often playfully remarks, "You introduced me to study in China; should I also introduce you to a high-paying job?" In 2019, I returned to Somalia with my wife and children, and Hamm went out of his way to welcome us warmly, flying in from Qatar for the occasion.

Another example involves my friend Shuaib, who came to China to find me in 2011. I recommended that he join Huazhong University of Science and Technology, where he pursued a degree in engineering. After completing his undergraduate studies, he continued his education, obtaining both a master's and a Ph.D. in Suzhou. Subsequently, he chose to remain in China, working at the Somalia Office in Yiwu, Zhejiang, where he manages Somalia's import and export trade affairs in China. His family in Somalia runs multiple restaurants, yet he has consistently shown a preference for working in China, rather than inheriting the family business. Aware of my efforts in supporting numerous students from countries around the world, he often jokingly suggests that I should consider working for the United Nations.

I hold a deep and profound affection for my compatriots and students arriving from various African countries. At times, it feels as though they are like younger brothers to me. Having experienced the solitude of being in a foreign land, I can empathize with their emotions. Therefore, I hope that within my capabilities, I can continue to make every effort to assist them in better adapting to their academic pursuits and daily life in China.

(2) The Pride of My Hometown

In my home country, an increasing number of people have become acquainted with me, and when they encounter difficulties, they often reach out to me for assistance through my friends and family.

On one occasion, I received a message from a Somali friend. It concerned an 18-year-old Somali student in Shenyang City who was majoring in medicine. This young man was not diligent in his studies, regularly skipped classes, allowed his visa to expire, and even engaged in deception to extract money from his family. Troubled by their son's behavior, his family reached out to me through my friend, hoping I could assist in returning their child to Somalia. Although I had never met the student's family in person, they displayed immense trust in me and directly transferred a substantial sum of money for the visa fines. I entrusted a friend in Shenyang City to assist the young man in paying the fines and securing the visa before escorting him to the airport to ensure his journey back to Somalia. Later on, upon my return to Somalia on one occasion, the student's family made a special trip to my residence to express their gratitude.

As my tenure as a foreign volunteer in the police station continued, my understanding of China deepened, and I earned the admiration of many friends who began turning to me for advice on various matters. They knew they could always trust me if they encountered any problems.

There was another incident around June 2017 involving an Ethiopian student. While riding his bicycle down a dimly lit slope one evening, his limited visibility led to an accidental collision with a Chinese elder. He saw the old man fall to the ground and bleed a lot from his head. Frightened by the sight, he promptly fled the scene. After returning to his campus, he confided in his compatriots, some of whom had heard about my stories from their Somali fellow students. They contacted me right away, seeking my assistance. After understanding the situation, I reassured the student, advising him not to be afraid. I urged him to go to the local police station immediately, report the incident, and explain that it was not intentional, hoping to have the old man's forgiveness. Through coordination with the police and my intervention, forgiveness was eventually secured, and the student provided fair compensation for the old man’s injury.

During my years in China, I've helped numerous Somali compatriots. Many of us were previously strangers, but we crossed paths in China and became great friends. In appreciation for the help I've provided, some even extend special respect and care to my family. Each time I return home, I'm greeted by many people I've assisted over the years, who make a point of visiting my family to express their gratitude.

(3) Inquiries on Social Media

Because everyone refers to me as "Chinese Ismail," I've gained a significant following on social media, where I frequently share my observations and experiences in China.

My followers are most interested in my life in China, often posing a myriad of questions about various aspects of the country, such as China's two-child or three-child policy and what life is like for foreigners married to Chinese nationals. Through my responses, they begin to gain insights into and develop a newfound fascination with China.

Many followers leave comments on my posts, inquiring about a poignant matter: if a Chinese family with just one child were to face a tragic loss, how would they cope? This stems from the tumultuous history in my homeland, marked by internal conflicts and wars. Some families experienced the devastating loss of children due to war, accidents, or unforeseen events. I, for one, lost a brother in a tragic car accident. Consequently, many of my compatriots are curious about how parents, left without their only child, can endure such a heart-wrenching situation and sustain their lives. The burden of being the sole provider for parents can be profoundly stressful, which is not ideal for their well-being. I have learned from my Chinese friends that there is a growing phenomenon in China referred to as "empty-nest elderly," wherein aging parents live alone because their only child is engrossed in work and cannot visit often, leaving them dreadfully lonely. However, the Chinese government has successively rolled out the "two-child" and "three-child" policies to address the issue, which I believe will alleviate eventually.

Of course, many Chinese friends have inquired about the size of my family. When I mentioned that I have nine siblings, they invariably responded with an exclamation of "Wow!" Some even humorously remarked, "With so many children, you family could form a football team!" They find it perplexing how one family can have so many children and wonder whether the parents can afford to raise them. In reality, Somalia has a lower standard of living, which means that the financial pressure of raising children is not as significant. As a result, most families can afford to raise multiple children. Additionally, having many children at home is a source of pride for the parents, who often express sentiments like, "I'm so fortunate to have so many children; it brings me immense happiness."

Later, I discovered that analogous notions prevailed in ancient China. For instance, within China's earliest comprehensive collection of poetry, The Book of Songs, there exists a poem that conveys people's aspirations and prayers for numerous offspring: "螽斯羽, 诜诜兮. 宜尔子孙, 振振兮." The "螽斯" (Zhong-si) refers to an insect similar to locusts, reproducing twice a year in copious numbers and boasting formidable fertility and robust vitality. Furthermore, they are adept at flying and prefer to travel in groups, much like a unified family. This poem can be translated as follows: "Oh, Zhong-si! With your wings aflutter, you soar in synchronized swarms. With your progeny abundant and flourishing, you thrive with exuberance and vitality." In reality, this verse employs Zhou-si as a metaphor to bestow blessings upon others, wishing for their households to be filled with many descendants and harmonious familial relationships. But why did ancient Chinese people yearn for many children? The answer lies in the fact that ancient China was an agrarian society that heavily relied on abundant labor. The more children a family had, the more laborers they possessed, enabling them to cultivate more fields and yield greater harvests and thereby ensuring an ample supply of food and clothing. Moreover, a larger family could better safeguard its interests, making it less vulnerable to external threats and exploitation.

In my home country, it is a widespread belief that having many children at home is a source of great happiness. Siblings can support one another and jointly provide for their parents. In Somalia we do not permit elderly individuals to live on their own. Typically, the eldest or youngest son assumes the responsibility of providing for them, and unmarried daughters also contribute to the support of their parents. Other children regularly visit and bring gifts or financial assistance to their parents.

Beyond questions about the number of children, I receive a plethora of other intriguing inquiries on social media. These encompass topics like why Chinese people favor drinking hot water, the authenticity of videos about Chinese martial arts , and the requisite procedures for marrying a Chinese national. To the best of my knowledge, I endeavor to provide answers to these questions, which has gradually earned me a considerable following on social media.

(4) A Window into China

Since I often respond to many people's inquiries about China on social media and share stories about China, many people in my home country say, "Ismail is like a 'window' into China for us, helping us to understand China better." I consider this recognition a great honor, and I am willing to be Somalia's "window into China." Here, I would like to share a few anecdotes:

Chinese Chopsticks 

When I first arrived in China, I had a question on my mind: Why do Chinese people use chopsticks to eat? Later, I discovered that many Asians use chopsticks for meals, especially in countries like Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. This is because they have been influenced by China and have developed their own chopstick culture. In my home country and Arab culture, we eat with our hands, and at the dining table, there is a bowl of water for washing hands. We also use our hands to eat noodles, although noodles and soup are kept separate. When I first came to China, I didn't know how to use chopsticks. People would teach us how to use them when we went to restaurants. Initially, I held the chopsticks close to their lower tips. One day, a friendly lady told me, "The farther you hold the chopsticks from the lower tips, the further you’ll keep away from home when get married." I found that quite interesting. Over a year later, I had become proficient in using chopsticks. To impress my compatriots with my chopstick skills, I even practiced picking up small, round foods like peanuts. Every year when new students arrived, we would dine together, and when they saw me deftly using chopsticks, they were amazed and exclaimed, "You've become a true Chinese!" In the process of learning to use chopsticks, I encountered some amusing situations. For instance, I had finally learned to use wooden chopsticks, but then I discovered there were also metal and plastic chopsticks. Since the surfaces of these materials were too smooth, making them less practical, I could only demonstrate my skills to my friends using wooden chopsticks.

At my wedding, some Chinese friends gave me chopsticks, and it was then that I learned that chopsticks carry symbolism. They symbolize happiness and joy throughout one's life and also represent unity and cooperation among people. A pair of chopsticks embodies the Chinese concept of the harmony between heaven and humanity. When I returned to my home country in 2019, I brought some Chinese chopsticks as gifts and gave them to my sister and friends. They cherished this special gift and were quite curious. They asked questions such as how to use these two sticks of wood, whether I could use them, and how Chinese people came up with the idea of using chopsticks. I believe this is closely related to Chinese culinary culture, especially their preference for hot dishes. Perhaps chopsticks emerged because hot food would burn their hands if touched directly.

Drinking Hot Water

Why do Chinese people like to drink hot water? This is a question I've been asked by many friends, and one I've also posed to numerous Chinese people. Perhaps it's related to China's vast geographical expanse and diverse culinary culture. In fact, there's a common misconception that many of us share, assuming that Chinese people consume scalding hot boiling water, which raises many questions. However, on my arrival in China, I discovered that Chinese people prefer to drink lukewarm water and generally avoid cold water. Many Chinese people carry thermos flasks, and public spaces generally offer hot water. If I fall sick or catch a cold, both doctors and my Chinese friends advise me to drink hot water. In my home country, we also tend to consume warm water when we're unwell, which is quite common among children. Therefore, it's evident that drinking hot water is beneficial for the body, and it reflects Chinese people's genetic inclination towards a healthy lifestyle.

Why Do Chinese People Use Umbrellas on Sunny and Rainy Days Alike?

Many African friends have asked me, "Why do Chinese people use umbrellas on sunny and rainy days alike?" This question intrigued me as well. While I could understand using umbrellas in the rain, I was puzzled by their use on sunny days. Later, I found that most of the people using umbrellas on sunny days are women. They explained that these are sun umbrellas used to shield themselves from the sun, preventing tanning and sunburn. It's a different concept from rain umbrellas. I shared this explanation with a compatriot in Guangzhou City, and to my surprise, he began using a sun umbrella as well. He told me that using an umbrella on sunny days is quite comfortable. I pointed out that typically, only women use sun umbrellas, and men do so only when accompanying their girlfriends. I wonder if he's still using a sun umbrella on sunny days.

Tea Culture

In my home country, we have a great affinity for tea, and the historical roots of Chinese tea culture are profound. So, many people are curious about the differences between Chinese tea and Somali tea. In Somalia, tea is primarily brewed from red tea powder with the addition of white sugar, and in some cases milk (camel milk or cow's milk) as well, resulting in a sweet flavor. In contrast, China boasts a time-honored tea culture that varies from one region to another, featuring a diverse range of tea varieties and production techniques. The most prominent difference between Chinese tea and Somali tea is the absence of sugar; it's prepared by steeping tea leaves in boiling water. Chinese people particularly favor green tea for its refreshing aroma and fragrance.

(5) The Voice of African Youth

Having spent so many years in China, I've gradually become aware of an issue: there are many African youth studying in China, but their voices are not widely heard. During my time as a student, I got to know numerous African friends, ranging from diligent learners to those less interested in academics, from extroverted individuals to the introverted ones. They all, however, expressed admiration for China's transformations and developments. Take, for instance, a friend from Tunisia, who had a penchant for shopping. He would often drag me along and we'd engage in discussions about China's growth and evolution. In the eyes of our group of international students, China's metamorphosis was a continuous process, occurring at any given moment. We would also discuss our own countries, inevitably feeling a sense of envy and contemplating whether our countries could learn from China's changes.

China's swift construction of high-rise buildings, subways, and railways, done efficiently and on time, was something almost unheard of in Africa. At that time, we didn't fully comprehend the reasons behind this, and our understanding of many of China's development policies was limited. This led to a deep sense of admiration. Even my extroverted friend, who was sociable and articulate in most conversations, struggled to provide convincing explanations regarding China's progress. Due to the differences in our living environments and cultural traditions, our perceptions of China remained somewhat superficial and lacked depth. These experiences have taught me a profound lesson: African youth need continuous learning, and their viewpoints and voices need a platform to be showcased. We also require mechanisms that encourage their growth. Only then can African youth in China mature and make a greater difference with their voices. It's encouraging to see an increasing number of African students coming to China. Unlike when I arrived in China, scholarships were scarce, and many students were self-funded. The introduction of more scholarships provides hope for many young Africans. I believe that African youth in China will contribute significantly to Sino-African relations, and their voices will be heard not only in China and Africa but throughout the world.

(6) GYLD China Tour

GYLD China Tour was the first event I partook in after arriving in Beijing. It primarily involved young individuals from different countries exploring various cities in China. Before coming to Beijing, I had spent many years in China and had visited fourteen different provinces. I come from a small African nation – Somalia. In spite of Somalia’s advantaged geographical location in Africa, much of its infrastructure had been devastated by wars, and its development nowadays remains slow-paced due to various reasons. Upon arriving in China, the longer I stayed, the more curious I became about this nation. I initially harbored grand aspirations of visiting every city in China but later realized the vastness and multitude of cities in this country. Despite facing numerous challenges, be it financial or time-related, my eagerness to explore remained undiminished.

Participating in the GYLD China Tour was a wholly different experience from my previous travels. Previously, I had mostly traveled with my family, adopting a leisurely mindset. In this particular event, I traveled with fellow foreigners to explore Chinese cities. We would engage in discussions and exchange ideas, sharing our observations and experiences. We also delved into talks about our respective countries, offering our unique viewpoints. These intellectual collisions provided me with a more comprehensive and multifaceted understanding of many Chinese cities. I took part in the GYLD China Tour twice and felt that this event presented a rare opportunity for us foreigners, especially those from Africa, to deepen our understanding of China and its cities and to immerse ourselves in China's developmental achievements. It transformed our perception of China's economic miracle from an unattainable dream to a tangible reality. Also, this event made me realize that China is entirely open, with its people readily sharing their development experiences with us. In organizing this event, every city's government and staff invested a great deal, and while gaining deeper insights into China, I profoundly felt the sincerity and friendliness of the Chinese government and its people. I hope that GYLD China Tour continues and that more foreign youth, especially those from Africa, can partake in this endeavor to earnestly engage with the essence of China.

(The end)