This past week, I have been reading news about Vice President Joe Biden visiting China, mostly about visiting Beijing since I am originally from there. What I enjoyed most is the reports about Joe Biden going for lunch in a local restaurant in Beijing. The place, the people, and the food were all so authentic and touching to me. Mr. Biden stepped into this everyday life of ordinary people in Beijing, and we got a chance to see it. For the last few years, we’ve heard so much about China’s economic development and its rising role in the world, but this episode of Joe Biden mingling with ordinary people in an ordinary place in Beijing captured my heart -- Americans and Chinese are getting closer and closer. We are not only talking about the big political and economic issues, but also getting connected in simple everyday life, sharing soybean paste noodles, steamed pork buns, cucumber salads…
In a Chinese report I read, Joe Biden was referred as ye ye (grandfather) introducing his sun nu (granddaughter) to China. They toured the Forbidden City and walked on the Great Wall. In the restaurant at lunch, Joe Biden was introducing his granddaughter to the Chinese: “This is my granddaughter.” His 18-year-old granddaughter Naomi has studied Chinese for 5 years. During the trip, she has been very helpful to her grandfather with translation of Chinese.
Someday, I would like to introduce China to my children and show them around in Beijing. But I know I need to put in the effort now. They need to learn Chinese and get to know the culture. I am sure if you want to introduce your children to China someday, you would want them to learn Chinese now.
