My Chinese cultural journey

According to the "14th Five-Year Plan", the main goal of promoting economic and social development reflects the overall situation of the country. On the one hand, China's economy is getting stronger and stronger, the country's opening-up reforms have taken new steps; but on the other hand, the overall level of cultural awareness must be increased, both the construction of ecological civilization and the promotion of general culture of the people must go hand in hand. The 19 article of the "14th Five-Year Plan" puts forward new requirements for keeping pace with the modern time in various aspects such as economy, national governance, society and people's livelihood, and cultural power. During the new historical period, China's development model must be comprehensive. Deepening economic construction must not lag behind, and enhancing cultural self-confidence cannot be underestimated.

Nowadays, foreigners studying, working, and settling in China can also see the fruits of China's reform and opening up and feel the fast-changing speed of China. They also can appreciate the unique charm of Chinese culture. The "14th Five-Year Plan" states: "Develop socialist advanced culture and enhance the country's cultural soft power." In terms of cultural strategy, China must adhere to the combination of "bringing in" and "going out" to enhance the influence of Chinese culture. The China's revitalization of culture requires the joint efforts of everyone.

As a Ukrainian student studying at Zhengzhou University in China, Ma Yifan (Kolosiuk Maksym) got to know China through kung fu and gradually fell in love with the country through Chinese cuisine. He was also deeply overwhelmed by Chinese opera. Without any doubts, the huge treasure of Chinese culture is still to be explored in future by him. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, Yifan along with Chinese people will keep promoting and spreading Chinese culture, it has already become their common aim to rejuvenate Chinese culture and fulfill his and China's "14th Five-Year Plan" agreement.

Ma Yifan (Kolosiuk Maksym), a Ukrainian student, is currently doing a PhD programme at Zhengzhou University. He got a Master's degree in Film Art from the same university. His excellent knowledge of Film Theory became a solid foundation for the creation of this work. During the three years that Ma Yifan spent at the university, he participated in different school-level short video contests and won numerous awards. To name some of them, the student's videos "Atlantis" and "Breast Cancer" got the first prize of School of Journalism and Communication Graduate Omnimedia Competition, so Yifan has accumulated deep shooting experience and developed great editing skills. At the end of 2020 before his graduation, Ma Yifan's love for Chinese culture inspired him to create a new work "MISS YOU". The video tells us a story about friendship between Zhengzhou University international students who stayed in China and between those, who during the pandemic, returned to their own countries. This video was published and promoted on Zhengzhou University official account.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of China Daily and China Daily website.