Stories of Chinese Diplomacy: We Sing “Ode to the Motherland” for Grandpa Xi

“The five-star red flag flutters in the wind and the song of victory resounds loudly. Let us sing for our beloved homeland, as it embarks on the path of prosperity and strength…” Every time as I sing the Chinese song “Ode to the Fatherland”, I think of this exciting day.

I was one of a dozen Kazakh children who greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping upon his arrival at the airport in Astana, Kazakhstan, on July 2 this year.

Kanatov Amirkhan Yerlanovich takes part in the 3rd Bridge-Chinese show for foreign primary school students in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of interviewee)

We arrived early at the airport VIP terminal lobby and started singing “Ode to the Fatherland” in Chinese as soon as Grandpa Xi entered the lobby.

Hearing the song, Grandpa Xi stopped in front of us and smiled as he listened.

We were so nervous at first that we started the first note too high. But little by little, we got back on track. After finishing the song, Grandpa Xi applauded our performance and said that we sang very well, which immediately eased our nervousness.

I was one of two representatives who approached Grandpa Xi and greeted him in Chinese. “Hello, Grandpa Xi. My name is Amirkhan and I am 10 years old. Welcome to Astana,” I said.

Grandpa Xi graciously thanked us and praised our Chinese as “fluent and authentic.”

I told him that I was born in Astana and hoped to study at Tsinghua University in China when I grew up. Grandpa Xi was delighted with my dream and encouraged us to aim for good universities. “You are welcome to study in China,” he said.

I then spoke on behalf of all the children present: “Thank you, Grandpa Xi! We love you!

This brief but unforgettable interaction with Grandpa Xi became a source of pride for all of us in the children's welcoming group that day.

Kazakh children welcome President Xi Jinping at Astana airport, July 2, 2024. (People's Daily/Wang Zhou)

Even now, when I think back to that moment at the airport, I still feel excited. Grandpa Xi is the leader of a great country, and I had the honor of singing for him and speaking with him, what an incredible thing to be proud of!

In fact, my connection to China and Grandpa Xi goes far beyond this meeting.

I was born in Astana on September 22, 2013. Just half a month before I was born, Grandpa Xi delivered an important speech in Astana titled “Promoting Friendship Among People and Creating a Better Future.”

In his speech, he first proposed the idea of ​​jointly building a Silk Road economic belt. Kazakhstan therefore became the place where the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was launched.

When I was 6 years old, my mother started making sure I learned foreign languages, including English, Spanish and Chinese. Since then, I have enjoyed learning Chinese and the three hours I spent each week learning the language were some of the happiest times for me.

In October last year, I represented participants from the Kazakhstan Division at the 3rd Bridge-Chinese Exhibition for Foreign Primary School Students in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province.

It was my first trip to China. I remember starting the countdown to the trip six months in advance, and the night before my flight I was so excited I couldn't sleep.

The photo shows the Shelek wind farm in Kazakhstan, supported by China. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

In Kunming, I met friends from all over the world and tasted Chinese cuisine that I had previously only seen in books and on TV.

Adults often ask me: “Amirkhan, what do you want to be when you grow up?” I always tell them that I remember Grandpa Xi's words of encouragement and that I want to go to China to study at Tsinghua University.

I want to master Chinese, acquire more advanced scientific knowledge, and then return to Kazakhstan to contribute to the well-being of the people in my home country. I also wish to contribute to promoting the friendship between Kazakhstan and China.

I believe that the world of the future will be free from war, hunger, poverty and injustice, a beautiful world where humans will live in unity, helping and loving each other, just like what Grandpa Xi said about the community with a shared future for mankind. . We must work together for this beautiful world.

(Kanatov Amirkhan Yerlanovich is a student of the Confucius Institute of LN Gumilev Eurasian National University in Kazakhstan. The article was written by People's Daily journalist Zhao Yipu based on an interview with him.)

(Web Editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)