After meticulous planning, this European journey was originally scheduled to be a whole month of wonderful experience, but it was cut short due to an irresistible longing for home, ultimately reducing the trip to 25 days. Starting from February 4th, I set off to Istanbul and then consecutively traversed Istanbul, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Reykjavik, Rome, Athens, a record eight cities in my personal global travel, with a connecting flight through Doha. The plan also included a final chapter journey from Vienna, Prague, Budapest to Frankfurt, but in the end, drawn by the homeland, I decided to return ahead of time.
The various experiences during the journey made me profoundly realize that as a Chinese person, even after stepping through the colorful Europe, I still belong to China. The streets of Paris, the towns of Holland, the solitude of Iceland, the historical charm of Rome and Athens, these rich and diverse sceneries cannot dispel my longing for my hometown. Tired in a foreign land, I am keenly aware that my roots lie in the land of China, and my cultural aesthetics and taste are deeply rooted in this soil.
In Europe, although the Chinese population is not large, their cohesion and survival ability are admirable. In particular, people from Wenzhou, through their hard work and unity, have achieved remarkable success in a foreign land. In exchanges with more than 50 Chinese people settled in Europe, whether it be my assistants, the entrepreneurs I interviewed, or photographers, they all kindly shared stories of their cities with me. As foreigners, one of their biggest challenges is the difficulty of cultural integration and identity recognition. Many Chinese, even second-generation immigrants, still maintain a deep affection for their hometown and are reluctant to give up their cultural roots. In terms of making a living, the business ecosystem of the Chinese community shows a strong ethnic tendency, just like the Indians, able to start countless successful small enterprises within the ethnic group itself.
This kind of national split, this struggle for cultural identity, this state of life are all realities faced by Chinese who live in Europe for a long time. However, at the end of the day, the direction of home is always clear, no matter how far we go, we always have a direction in our hearts pointing to that land we call home.
Essentially, what people seek is to live well. Everyone should find their own balance and seek happiness based on it. However, it is important to note that political economy exists objectively, and its influence will not disappear because of our neglect. In the context of globalization, China’s political and economic trends not only affect the domestic situation but are also closely linked to the fate of the world, especially for Chinese people and overseas Chinese.
As a Chinese person, we should have an objective and fair evaluation of our country’s current situation, and even in comparisons abroad, we need to maintain basic respect. We cannot ignore the historical context, the challenge of a large population, the differences between developed and developing countries, the division of labor brought about by globalization, and the complexity of international political economy. Despite this, as individuals, we still need to make the best choices for ourselves.
From personal experience, I emerged from a small town in Sichuan, was admitted to Peking University, coincided with the internet boom, and earned my first pot of gold in Hangzhou. Later on, carrying the red passport of my country to start a business, I reaped abundant harvests, which all are intimately related to my homeland. My family, friends, and clients all reside in this land; here we work hard and continue to create. Therefore, I am more willing to offer my country more patience and hope.
The experience of living in Europe has made me aware of the different living costs. In terms of prices for goods and services, Europe is more expensive compared to New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other places. To enjoy quality services often comes at a significant cost, due to Europe’s high welfare system shaped by the first and second industrial revolutions. Europe now follows a concept of pursuing a comfortable life, with its social systems and economic model developing in a relatively peaceful and stable environment.
The reason the United States continues to achieve great results in the field of innovation is largely because it attracts global talent and provides dreamers with opportunities to grow. The commercial prosperity of China stems from the diligence of its people and their desire for reform – it’s because the Chinese people are willing to work hard that China has the foundation for rapid development.
China’s progress is closely related to the efforts of every hardworking Chinese. I always believe that our country has inherent creativity and innovative spirit and is supported by hardworking and brave people. The common advancement of Chinese people around the world will make our homeland even more beautiful.
Even in the content I share every day on my Moments, whether it’s about travel, case sharing, traffic management, or entrepreneurial resources, it’s all a deep love and expectation for this land.
European JourneyLonging for HometownThe State of Chinese Diaspora LivingCultural IntegrationIdentity RecognitionPolitical and Economic InfluenceObjective EvaluationCost of LivingAmerican InnovationChinese Business Prosperity.
