China is far from what media claims

As I prepare to wind up my time in China after our company’s successful completion of the first official jointly produced movie between New Zealand and China’s largest State-owned media company, it’s with sadness that I prepare to bid farewell to Beijing, this bustling city of contrasts and my frequent destination over the past 10 years.

The more I turn my attention toward the nature of New Zealand’s relationship with China the more profound become the insights into the close embrace we share. Both in interdependent trade and our interwoven history and humanity. Currently this relationship is under strain due to the multitude of accusations and opinions flooding through the internet highway. Cyberspace is filled with criticism. Maybe some well-founded but most surely not.

Its 6.50 am! I am on my New Zealand “one news now” app catching up on all the happenings back home in New Zealand. Sitting jet-lagged, blurry eyed in my half-lit apartment, dressed in my night attire, gazing with one eye on my phone and the other at yet another barrage of emails descending in fits and starts onto my too heavily backlit computer screen. About to shower and start yet another day in an all too busy world. I think. I reflect. More negative news downloading about China circulating through our New Zealand media.

I reminisce on all that I was told by “helpful people” when I first came to China 18 years ago and well over 100 trips, and counting. Chinese people were, you know …"austere, untrustworthy."However, I have taken time to listen and learn from the oldest surviving culture on the globe, since they must have done something right, they are still here and soon will be thriving again. As an “insane traveler”, I do have a wee touch of first-hand knowledge. I know of no other nation in the world as heady, alive, historically engaging, architecturally mind-blowing with such a rich, long and diverse culture that tends to suck you in intellectually as well as emotionally and doesn't spit you out but rewards you for your connection.

The kindness of the Chinese people can be seriously overwhelming. On an earlier trip to Beijing one of our team was suddenly struck with food poisoning and a serious need for a bathroom while out shopping at the local market. One old stall owner, face furrowed from years of work, a lone operator, was so concerned she appointed her niece as escort to the appropriate venue for some speedy relief. She then closed her little shop and shepherded me 300 meters down the street to the Chinese medicine shop to retrieve the instant miracle cure. It worked.

Since that day I have purchased numerous handbags from her little cubical. It is so heart-warming to be the recipient of her warm wrinkled smile and sparkling eyes the moment she sees me. I feel her hands, rough and worn as she grasps mine with a firm double handed welcome, a hug and kiss on my cheek. The exterior maybe in need of attention but the heart beating inside this woman is tender and responsive. A longing arises within me, to be like this “true heart”. That day we all learned yet another valuable life lesson: genuine love accompanied by actions will never be forgotten and that from a little lady with hardly "two pennies to rub together."

On another occasion, a three-year-old boy ran out of nowhere in the middle of a busy street and grabbed my legs from behind. When I turned around and looked down, I saw his smile, as wide as a Cheshire cat. With no hesitation he said in English "you are so big!" My smile was now the same size as his and this “giant’s” heart melted.

I have lost count of the times while walking China's city streets late at night, being offered a seat and food by the night rubbish sorters as they take a well-earned rest. I am moved by the freedom these nighttime street traders have and once again have been deeply touched as I invest a smile and get an overwhelming return on my investment. Their laughter and slaps on the back as I stumble through a few words of broken Mandarin amid the swirling smoke from their poorly rolled cigarettes and the wonderful fragrance of their vegetable laden soup.

Then one evening walking through the night market in 30 C temperature amid the throngs of people, vendors conjuring up exquisite food with unimaginable flavors and textures, the fragrance of freshly cooked delicacies filling the air, my senses fully stimulated. Beads of sweat trickled down my face. I wished I had worn something more weather appropriate. I was approached by two teenagers who had somehow noticed that I was profusely sweating and came to my aid with a packet of tissues.

I was again reminded that "Chinese are unfriendly, cunning and cold"…Yes, right.

I have endless stories to share of this so-called "hostile nation” but to encapsulate 18 years of first-hand experience; In one four-week trip I have been smiled at and greeted by more strangers than in the past 10 years in my own nation.

They say "listening is a lost art". I’m so pleased I did not lose it all those years ago. I would have been robbed of some of the greatest experiences, moments and wonders locked between the bookends of this our delightful adventure called life. Forty percent of that time for me, has been spent in this land of awe-inspiring legendary efficiency, speed of application, practicality, compassionate humanity, creativity, courage, and China’s openness to risk, to experiment, to innovate and to transform.

Over the past decades China has demonstrated an openness to change and adapt through the impact of multitudes of brilliant young minds now ready to be released as part of the new-look China. The transformation facilitated by the integration of their new-found knowledge, with the application of centuries of accumulated wisdom will be enormous. What a powerful combination. I encourage you to observe how fast China recovers from this COVID-19 pandemic. This is a nation that will reflect the best of its past in its future no matter what it has gone through, with currently a huge upheaval, along with the rest of the world.

I am not saying there haven’t been huge difficulties as we have endeavored to adapt to the way business operates in China. We have navigated an unchartered path that at times has been stressful, unpredictable but through it all China and I have become life-long friends, despite my failings and theirs. Would I do it again? Wholeheartedly yes!

My "two penny worth?" If we listen to every man’s opinion about China, and there is plenty of them out there at this moment, we will be dead before we have time to live and experience it. My humble advice? Try putting a month-long trip to China into your bucket list and find out first-hand what all the fuss is about.

You are in for a huge surprise. A pleasant one!

The author is Founder and CEO of Huhu Studios international. He has founded numerous charities and his passion is seeing young people reach their full potential in life.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and do not represent the views of China Daily and China Daily website.