'We live in Henan and we love China!' A Pakistani Family's Life in Henan

'We live in Henan and we love China!' A Pakistani Family's Life in Henan

在河南生活4年，这个巴基斯坦家庭“宾至如归”——“我们喜欢河南，我们爱中国！”

 

A few days ago, an art performance was staged at the auditorium of Henan Agricultural University for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. During the last chorus performed by children, a boy standing in the center of the first row caught the audience's attention. With dark brown skin, prominent nose and brooding eyes, he was singing a famous song Bathed in Brilliant Sunshine in fluent Chinese with his classmates, which won waves of applause from the audience. He is a Pakistani student from Class 1 of Grade 3 at the primary school affiliated to Henan Agricultural University, whose Chinese name is Zhang Ruien.

“我们在灿烂阳光下，跟着共产党建设大中国……”几天前的一个晚上，河南农业大学大礼堂内红歌嘹亮，农大教职工和学生为党的百年华诞激情献唱。在最后一个童声合唱节目中，第一排C位的一个小男孩引起了大家的注意——深咖色的皮肤、坚挺的鼻梁、深邃的双眸，他用清晰的汉语和全班同学一起唱响《在灿烂阳光下》，博得台下阵阵掌声。他是农大附属中学小学部三一班的巴基斯坦籍学生，中文名字叫张瑞恩。

 

"I love my school!" Zhang told Henan Daily in fluent Mandarin, "I have a lot of friends here. We study and play together. And I want to stay here forever."

“我喜欢我的学校！”一见到记者，张瑞恩就用一口流利的普通话主动聊了起来，“在这儿我有很多朋友，我们一起学习，一起踢球，我想一直生活在这里。”

 

In September 2017, Zhang came to Henan with his father, mother and younger brother. As sojourners, the Pakistani family have been to many countries including the United States, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, etc. They settled in Zhengzhou 4 years ago when Zhang's father Nadeem Tahir was hired as a professor at the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University.

2017年9月，张瑞恩和爸爸、妈妈、弟弟一起来到河南。此前，这个巴基斯坦家庭曾旅居美国、德国、法国、瑞士、意大利、波兰等国家。4年前，爸爸纳迪姆·塔希尔被河南农业大学机电工程学院聘为全职教授，他们便在郑州安了家。

 

Both Zhang and his younger brother are studying at the affiliated primary school. Why didn't Tahir choose an international school for his sons? He said, "Chinese culture is profound. My kids can better their Chinese and understand well traditional Chinese culture and virtues passed down for thousands of years in public primary schools."

张瑞恩和弟弟都在农大附属中学小学部上学。为何没有选择让孩子上国际学校？塔希尔教授说：“中国文化根基深厚，孩子们在普通小学能更好地学习汉语，学习传承几千年的中华优秀文化和传统美德。”

 

Zhang has made great efforts to learn Chinese. He will use translating software when coming across new characters, and then write them down for memorization. "Now Zhang can use Chinese well in daily communication. He often performs actively in class and has got excellent academic records in all subjects." Zhang's class adviser told Henan Daily.

为了学好汉语，张瑞恩付出了巨大的努力。遇到不会的字词，他就用翻译软件一个一个翻译，再抄写下来加深记忆。“现在他日常交流完全没有问题，上课也积极发言，各科成绩都能达到优秀。”张瑞恩的班主任李昱儒说。

 

At Zhang's home, there is a blue folder full of award certificates of him and his brother, such as Straight-A Student, Excellent Homework, Course Leader, etc., which made the family very proud. On June 1 this year, Zhang was rewarded the title of Model Youth for Self-discipline in Jinshui District.

张瑞恩家里有一个蓝色的文件夹，这是他们全家的骄傲，里面装满了兄弟俩获得的各类奖状：三好学生、全优作业、优秀课代表等。今年6月1日，张瑞恩还被评为金水区自律自强好少年。

 

When first arriving in Henan, they encountered inconveniences due to language barrier. "The people here are kind and caring, and always reach out to us, so we don't feel home is far away." Tahir said, "To better integrate into Chinese society, all my families are studying Chinese. We live in Henan and we love China!"

刚到河南时，因为语言不通，他们的生活有许多不便。“这里的人善良有爱，总是主动帮助我们，让我们从来没有感觉住得离家乡很远。”塔希尔教授说，“现在我们全家都在努力学习汉语，想更好地融入中国。因为我们喜欢河南，我们爱中国！”

 

On traditional Chinese holidays, Zhang's mother will learn from the school staff to make classic Chinese food, such as zongzi (stuffed glutinous rice balls wrapped with reeds or bamboo leaves) and jiaozi. Besides, they have learned how to use chopsticks. "I like noodles, especially the tasty local stewed noodles!" Zhang gave a thumbs-up.

每到中国传统节日，张瑞恩的妈妈会跟随学校教职工学包粽子、饺子等中国传统美食，然后做给全家吃。他们还学会了用筷子。“我最喜欢吃面条，特别是郑州烩面，好吃！”张瑞恩竖起了大拇指。

 

The Yellow River Scenic Area is the place his family haunts most. "We have also been to Shaolin Temple, Fuxi Mountain and other scenic spots in Henan. Now, since the COVID-19 has been brought under control in China, we plan to visit Shanghai Disneyland during the summer vacation." Tahir told Henan Daily.

黄河边是他们一家最常去的地方。“我们还去过少林寺、伏羲山等地。现在，中国境内的新冠肺炎疫情控制得很好，暑假我们准备去上海迪士尼。”塔希尔教授说。

 

When it came to the COVID-19, Tahir praised that, "China's response to the COVID-19 pandemic is impressive. My wife and I got a second shot of COVID-19 vaccine two weeks ago, feeling great. Now, China is the safest country in the world and I think western countries should learn from China on how to control the spread of COVID-19."

提到疫情，塔希尔教授激动地称赞：“中国抗击新冠肺炎疫情的表现令人惊叹。我和妻子两周前都打了第二针新冠疫苗，感觉很好。现在，中国是世界上最安全的国家，我认为西方国家应该向中国学习如何控制疫情。”

 

During the pandemic, they stood firmly with the Chinese people, recorded a "cheer up" video and donated 6,000 yuan to the Charity Federation of Henan Province.

疫情防控期间，他们全家人录制了抗疫视频，并向河南省慈善总会捐赠了6000元，始终和中国人民站在一起。

 

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Tahir said that over the past 100 years, China has won more and more supporters and companions in the world, which is the result of the unremitting efforts of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. "I wish China a better future and hope the friendship between China and Pakistan will be as strong as an iron tower, just like the implication of my Chinese name Zhang Tieta (Tieta means iron tower in Chinese)."

今年是中国共产党建党一百年，塔希尔教授说，100年来，中国在全球赢得了越来越多的支持者和同行者，这是中国共产党领导中国人民不懈奋斗的成果，“我祝愿中国越来越好。希望中巴友谊像我的中文名字——张铁塔一样，‘铁哥们儿’般的友情永远牢固不破。”（中文来源/河南日报 翻译/赵汉青 海报/实习生王君艺 审校/丁岚）