Recently, Sadiq Salihoddin, a Malaysian teacher from the College of Southeast Asian Languages and Cultures at Guangxi Minzu University (GXMU), featured in a prominent article on Chinadaily.com.cn. Titled “The Kindness of Strangers and Connecting through Language”, the article draws from Sadiq's personal experiences working and living in Nanning. With sincere and touching storytelling, the article showcases the modern landscape and the open, inclusive spirit of China’s Green City, profoundly illustrating the vital role of language as a bridge for cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the people of China and Malaysia.
Sadiq Salihoddin’s article published on Chinadaily.com.cn
In the article, Sadiq reflects on his journey since arriving at GXMZU. He describes his transition from initially feeling like an outsider to being deeply captivated by Nanning’s lush ecological environment, convenient modern infrastructure, and the genuine warmth of its citizens. He vividly recounts heartwarming moments—such as local strangers spontaneously paying for his meals or enthusiastically asking for photos together. He describes this “kindness of strangers” as the most precious treasure he has gained in the city.
Sadiq notes that Nanning, as the permanent host of the China-ASEAN Expo, serves as a vital “gateway” for cooperation between China and ASEAN countries. He views GXMZU as a vivid embodiment of this strategic advantage in the field of education and culture. “I feel incredibly proud to teach the Malay language here and serve as an envoy connecting our two languages and cultures,” he expressed.
The publication of Sadiq’s article not only highlights the exceptional caliber of GXMZU’s foreign faculty but also underscores the university’s achievements in building an international teaching team, its strength in ASEAN language education, and its fruitful contributions to the Belt and Road Initiative. Looking ahead, GXMZU will continue to leverage its geographical and academic strengths to attract high-level international talent, contributing further to the deepening of the China-ASEAN Community with a Shared Future.
