Long March spirit inspires foreign students

A forum on experiencing and carrying on the Long March Spirit was held on Nov 24 at Beijing Jiaotong University, offering a platform for foreign students to learn about and exchange views on the historic event.

About 80 Chinese and foreign professors and students attended the forum, sharing stories of the Long March and discussing how its spirit is inspirational for today’s students.

At the beginning of the forum, three students performed one of the Long March songs, Farewell.

Attendees of the forum watch a documentary on the snow-clad mountains that the Chinese Red Army climbed during the Long March. [Photo/Beijing Jiaotong University]

Gao Qinxiang, the newly-appointed director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Campinas, said the three performers were like the three Chinese Red Army troops that conducted the Long March.

One of the performers, the only foreigner, was Namibian student Samuel Yaw Mensah, also known by his Chinese name, Yao Shan.

He said, "I have been to China four times but this is the first time I’ve communicated with people and sung these kinds of songs in Chinese."

Yan Wuer, deputy secretary of the party committee of Beijing Jiaotong University, speaks on the important role of the Long March. [Photo/Beijing Jiaotong University]

Yao worked hard to learn the Chinese language and searched stories about the Long March to better understand the lyrics. "I need to understand what I am singing."

"Language was the biggest challenge for me initially. Although my singing partners can help me with the pronunciation, the meanings of the words are still difficult," he said.

Three students perform one of the Long March songs – Farewell -- at the beginning of the forum. Yao Shan (middle) is from Namibia. [Photo/Beijing Jiaotong University]

"I learned the history by myself and it took me about six weeks. Lots of people died, some from starvation and some from cold weather, but the soldiers insisted on moving forward -- just as the lyrics say, "we have to reach the goal”. The history and the stories inspire me a lot and I regard this experience as an achievement for myself," Yao added.

This year is the 80th anniversary of the Long March.

Chen Dongfeng, one of the principals at the Center of International Education of Beijing Jiaotong University, says that all such marches are treasures of mankind. [Photo/Beijing Jiaotong University]

Yan Wuer, deputy secretary of the Party committee of Beijing Jiaotong University, said the Long March was one of the most significant events in the Chinese revolution. It promoted the Chinese Communist's political ideas and created a strong army.

He stressed that it is necessary for foreign students studying in China to learn that history and understand the Long March spirit.

Chen Dongfeng, one of the principals at the Center for International Education of Beijing Jiaotong University, and Chu Kuaile, a foreign student from Mozambique, gave reports on Long Marches in other countries and noted that all of them are treasured.

Margai David Marcus suggests that young people in Africa should learn from the soldiers in the Chinese Long March and hold the same spirit. [Photo/Beijing Jiaotong University]

Arnold, another Namibian student at Beijing Jiaotong University, said that he likes history and knew something of China’s past. After the forum, he knows more about Mao Zedong and his contribution to the establishment of China.

Margai David Marcus from the Republic of Sierra Leone wondered why the Chinese revolution succeeded but Africans cannot. Yan Wuer suggested the reason is that the Chinese soldiers’ goal was not only to free themselves but also to liberate the entire nation.

Marcus added that young people in Africa should learn from the Chinese Long March and live and fight for their countries instead of just relying on foreign countries' help.

Chu Kuaile, a foreign student from Mozambique, shares his views on the Long March. [Photo by Gao Meng/chinadaily.com.cn]

Foreign students from the Beijing Institute of Technology also shared stories they have learned about the Red Army during the Long March period.

Liu Yanqing, director of the Center of International Education of Beijing Jiaotong University, said people raised in different social backgrounds may hold different views. The forum is an opportunity for students to experience Chinese culture and make friends who have interest in the field.

The forum was initiated by Beijing Jiaotong University. Student representatives were from the Beijing Institute of Technology, the University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing Language and Culture University and Beijing Jiaotong University.

Foreign students watch a short video introducing the Chinese Long March. [Photo by Gao Meng/chinadaily.com.cn]