In a famous Egyptian film starring Mohamed Henedy, his grandfather tries to persuade him to travel to China, repeatedly saying the now-famous line: “China is beautiful.” Perhaps this simple phrase, which has remained in viewers’ memories, holds a measure of truth that people only discover when they experience the country for themselves.
اضافة اعلان
Drawing on my own experience, I find myself repeating the same phrase today, this time with genuine conviction based on personal experience. I have visited China twice. The first visit was a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic, while the second is taking place now, as I attend a specialised training course on transport, safety, systems and procedures for preventing pollution. The course is organised by the Fujian Demonstration Base of the United Nations South-South Cooperation Network in Fujian Province.
This visit was not merely a passing trip or a conventional tourist experience. It was an opportunity to gain firsthand insight into various aspects of life and work in China and witness the high level of professionalism, international standards, commitment to precision and excellence in organisation. I was also struck by the cleanliness, public conduct and attention to detail, as well as the city’s beauty, which was clearly evident during the tours available to us.
What I saw convinced me that China is more than a tourist destination or a country with a massive economy. It is a comprehensive experience that deserves to be discovered firsthand. It brings together industrial and technological advancement, institutional discipline and the ability to turn ambitious goals into tangible reality. One may not agree with every aspect of the Chinese experience, but it is difficult to overlook the scale of its achievements or visit without wondering about the secret behind its progress.
For me, then, the phrase “China is beautiful” is no longer merely a comedic line associated with a famous film. It has become a description of a real experience worth reflecting on. I am almost certain, my friend Abu Saif, that Mohei’s grandfather in the film genuinely meant it, even if the line was delivered in a comedic setting.
More importantly, beyond the beauty of the experience and the enjoyment of the visit, it opens the door to thinking about the future of our relations with China, particularly following His Majesty King Abdullah II’s recent high-profile visit to the country and the opportunities it presents.
China is now an important partner in trade, industry and technology. Its experience in transport, infrastructure, safety and environmental systems also deserves study and consideration. Relations with China are no longer simply a matter of trade or importing products; they can provide a broader platform for cooperation, knowledge transfer, capacity-building and the development of high-quality partnerships that serve our interests and keep pace with global change.
Benefiting from China’s experience does not necessarily mean copying it. Rather, it means understanding the factors behind its success, assessing what suits our needs and investing in the opportunities offered by our relationship with the country. The world is changing rapidly, and countries that succeed in building balanced strategic relationships based on shared interests, knowledge and development are better positioned to meet the future.
My visits to China were more than two travel experiences. They were opportunities to broaden my perspective and rediscover a country whose reality goes far beyond what we see in the news or hear in everyday conversations.
The most important question remains: Can we turn the importance of our relationship with China into a genuine strategic partnership that extends beyond trade to knowledge, technology and industry, and contributes to development, economic growth and building the future?
Perhaps the answer begins with a journey, an experience or even a simple phrase spoken by Mohei’s grandfather in a film. China is beautiful but what is even more important is knowing how to benefit from this experience and build a relationship with China that delivers the progress and prosperity we seek.
Former Tourism and Environment Commissioner at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority.
