Have you ever deeply understood Chinese culture? I have unshakable confidence that you will appreciate its subtleties. Spending time learning about it, I take pride in Chinese arts and language.

Of all the reasons why I am proud of Chinese culture, the first aspect I want to introduce is Chinese arts. As is not uncommon, Chinese people are known for tactfully expressing their feelings and thoughts through meaningful paintings and poetry. Understanding the background of these arts is crucial to appreciating their meanings, including historical context, the personalities of the artists, and their experiences. This is the point I am proud of – discovering the messages and meanings behind them, which offers a new understanding of our world. Different perspectives, feelings, and understandings will emerge. For example, Wang Wei’s poem “Mountain Life on an Autumn Evening” describes the peaceful and relaxing nature of human existence. It inspired me to experience and connect more with the world by putting down my smartphone. I take pride in feeling this connection.

Apart from Chinese arts, the language also plays a significant role in my appreciation of Chinese culture. Unlike other countries, China encompasses various dialects, including Wu, Xiang, Pinghua, Yue, etc., used in different regions. The core language is Putonghua, which unifies different regions into one. It is truly amazing, isn’t it? Learning different dialects becomes a symbol of identity. The most interesting fact is that most people do not know how to write these dialects, but they can effectively communicate using them. I am proud of this because it is rare to find a country with such diversity of dialects for communication among its citizens.

Considering all these aspects, it is my firm conviction that if you invest time in deeply learning about Chinese culture, you will come to love and appreciate it as much as I do.

S5 Champion, Chinese Culture Week 2023-24 English Writing Competition