China in the eyes of my heart

我心目中的中国—读习近平给北京科技大学全体巴基斯坦留学生的回信有感

There is a Chinese saying, “仁者见仁，智者见者.” When I saw the response letter from President Xi Jinping to the student of Pakistan, besides proud, I was honoured to know that we are in a country where a supreme and topmost leader pays such importance to international students. During the stay of my PhD studies, like President Xi expressed his joyous feelings that we have made significant progress during our studies and met many nice people like my great professor Dr. Dewen Qiu and my Chinese lab mates. When I read the letter for Pakistani students, I recalled my days of childhood, and the time of coming to China. Being a Pakistani, I learned from my childhood that our best friend, which we call 患难见真情的朋友 is China. During my stay in China, I came to know that no matter what kind, status, and designation of a person are, we are called 巴铁 (an iron friend) in China. From the letter, I got convinced that it was my best decision to come to China, which I call 百战百胜的强国。

It was the first time in three years when I saw everyone sad because it happened during the grandest and most important festival in China. From essential learning to advanced studies, I have learnt春节是中国人民最重要的传统节日, but this year we all faced unprecedented and unlucky condition. At the time of the pandemic, when everyone was afraid and sad, few lines from President Xi made me feel relaxed and confident, and I decided not to go back to my country, but staying here would be the safest solution and place for me. 遇到困难，不要埋怨自己，不要指责他人，不要放弃自信，不要逃避责任，而是要一起来战胜困难。I have witnessed the reality that China, the Chinese government, and Chinese citizens proved that if we are determined and have faith, then we can win any battle. As President Xi said in the second paragraph of the letter that China and Chinese people consider the life of citizens whether they are Chinese or foreigners, the most important thing. The construction of hospitals in the vicinity of Wuhan within 10 days, that made the world appreciate the efforts of China, are the proofs of 生命至上。

All the efforts from China government were accomplished with the help of the strong measures taken by CAAS during this pandemic. They dealt us like moto of the China 一视同仁, asked about our health on a daily basis, provided us masks and disinfectant wipes, and helped us in managing our lives and studies during the situation, which we already have successfully passed. I would like to thank all of the university administration, my supervisor, teachers, and lab mates who supported us during this time. I would specially thank 外卖小哥who never saw the day, night, rain, and sun but helped us in getting whatever we wanted. 

Last but not least, I have learned many beautiful things in China. Although I didn’t succeed in becoming 中国通but, I have become 半个中国人，and already considered China as my second home (第二故乡). I have the dedication of following the advice of President Xi to learn more about China, and express real feelings about China to the whole world. I promise Respected President Xi that I will work hand in hand to promote people to people communication, and construction of a community with a shared future for the whole humankind.  

Khadija Javed

Institute of Plant Protection, CAAS

2020-05-25

Khadija Javed from Pakistan is a PhD candidate in the discipline of Biological Control at the Institute of Plant Protection, CAAS, Beijing. She was one of the class monitors of 2017 Autumn Semester batch. She joined the Protein-based biopesticide team of Professor Dewen Qiu with a fully-funded GSCAAS scholarship in March 2018. During her PhD, she was working on the Evaluation of Protein PeBL1 from Brevibacillus laterosporus to induce resistance against Myzus persicae on Tomato and Cucumber, and has published three papers as first author in SCI Journals such as Pathogens, Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control.

Khadija during her presentation.

Khadija with the Protein-based biopesticide team members.