Seeing is believing: China, as it really stands

To truly understand China, there is no substitute for seeing it with one's own eyes.

For too long, global perceptions of the country have been shaped by secondhand narratives and distant stereotypes rather than direct encounter. However, the real-life experiences of foreigners in China are now building empathy, breaking biases, and helping the world truly recognize and connect with China.

Few figures exemplify this better than Edgar Snow, whose reporting in the 1930s laid bare a reality hidden from the West. His landmark Red Star Over China introduced a revolutionary cause to the world; while his 1962 work, The Other Side of the River, chronicled the evolution of cities like Zhengzhou and Luoyang.

Snow's legacy is not just journalistic; it is a testament to how direct encounters can shatter prejudice—a legacy that remains as relevant today as it was nearly a century ago.

This legacy sat at the heart of the forum "Telling Stories Well: From Empathetic Communication to Cultural Identity", which sought to reignite Snow's ethos in the digital age. In a deliberate act of historical continuity, Adam Foster, founding chairman and chairman emeritus of the Helen Foster Snow Foundation, and descendant of Edgar and Helen Foster Snow, retraced the very Henan locations his ancestor once described.

The contrast between past and present was stark: where Snow once wrote of hours-long traveling east from Luoyang to Zhengzhou, high-speed rail now covers the journey in under 30 minutes.

For Foster, this journey was more than a historical tribute, it was living proof that firsthand experience is the most powerful tool to bridge misunderstanding.

"This is what our foundation has always believed: when more people see with their own eyes, understanding follows. From the Snows' era to today, that conviction has never changed," said Foster.

That ethos has endured into the digital age. Where once a small cohort of foreign correspondents filtered China for the world, today reporters, students and content creators share ground-level stories online—stories that resonate because they are rooted in reality.

"I have a Vlog program, where I want to document things from a first-person perspective, making the audience feel like they're right there with me on the scene," said Dylan Walker, an American reporter at China Daily, who is using new methods to do what Edgar did back then. "Documenting reality through a camera lens, connecting hearts through stories — our tools have changed, but our mission remains the same," he said.

Venturing in: Unpacking China's cultural mosaic

Data from China's National Immigration Administration underscores this shift: in 2025, a record 697 million people crossed China's borders, out of which 82.04 million were foreign visitors, a 26.4 percent increase year-on-year. Of those foreign visitors, 30.08 million entered via visa-free policies, a 49.5 percent jump that reflects China's growing openness and the world's eagerness to see the country firsthand.

Personal experience sometimes cuts through stereotypes more powerfully than official narratives. Take Anayat Ali, content creator and Indian PhD researcher at Tongji University, for example. He arrived in China disoriented, struggling to navigate an unfamiliar language and culture, but soon evolved into a confident explorer.

His engineer's eye marveled at China's high-speed rail and digital infrastructure — systems that work seamlessly to connect even remote regions — while his open heart cherished the unscripted warmth of its people.

Cultural immersion speaks even louder. American Jacob Lee Pinnick, found belonging through martial arts; Guzheng performer Peng Jingxuan let Chinese music cross borders; Italian blogger Martina Sicuso captures "living poetry" in China's daily life — from tai chi in parks to bustling markets — while highlighting its technological leap. Together, they prove empathy arises not from lectures, but from shared human experiences.

Economic vitality with a human touch

Alongside cultural connection, China's economic vitality draws the world with both its scale and humane touch. Australian content creator Jack Torr admired its manufacturing might and the social charm of market bargaining.

"That is something I really love about shopping here. It is not just about buying something. It becomes a social experience," according to him.

For Kyrgyzstani entrepreneur Meerzat Omuralieva, trading with China meant not only speed and innovation, but also warmth. "This warmth," she said, "makes me feel at home in China." He Lihong, president of Yiwu Brands Association, shared how Yiwu has evolved from a street market into a global digital trading hub, helping businesses move beyond being a "world factory" to building recognized Chinese brands worldwide through its agile supply chains and independent digital payment system.

Study in China, learn from China

Many foreigners go beyond observation to intellectual and cultural rootedness, their journeys proving that in-depth understanding requires more than a visit — it requires immersion. Content creator and practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, Joel Mikael Walker, has spent a decade studying, working and living in Henan, gaining local acceptance and finding parallels between yin-yang balance and international harmony.

As he puts it, TCM emphasizes the "balance of yin and yang", and this principle applies equally to international exchanges: different cultures need balance and inclusivity, as well as mutual understanding and respect.

Bulgarian PhD researcher at Tsinghua University, Jood Ghazwan Sharaf, moved beyond translated texts to master original Chinese sources, shifting from outside observer to engaged participant. Her multicultural family also became a living example of harmony in diversity and shared humanity.

Becoming Chinese: Belonging beyond borders

"Becoming Chinese" represents a deeper identity shift. Belgian blogger Lucas Deckers and Brazilian PhD researcher at Tsinghua University, Gabriel Nascimento Damianik Valdetaro have become cultural bridges, sharing life stories to challenge Western-dominated narratives.

Xiaohongshu (RedNote)'s vice-president and editor-in-chief Liu Dong emphasized how authentic online sharing builds cross-border friendships and spiritual belonging, turning individual affection for China into a global wave of mutual understanding.

"As a lifestyle-focused platform, Xiaohongshu has long reflected on how to present a true, multi-dimensional, and comprehensive picture of China. Our answer is to build bridges through daily life and connect through sincerity," said Liu.

The road ahead: Depth, purpose and shared destiny

As the discussions made clear, the growing global fascination with China represents far more than a passing online trend.

As David Gosset, sinologist and founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative observed, while viral engagement and digital reach have their place, genuine cross-cultural understanding demands depth. Embracing the "Becoming Chinese" phenomenon is meaningful, he noted, but it should also inspire us to become global citizens together.

For Victor Gao , vice-president of CCG and chair professor of Soochow University, this wave of interest is not merely a passing fashion; it is a mega-trend. Gosset further emphasized that China stands as a land of opportunity and a force for peace in the world, and that the growing bonds between foreigners and China create genuine win-win outcomes for all.

Echoing this call for substance over spectacle, Zafar Uddin Mahmood, special representative of the prime minister of Pakistan on China affairs, urged international content creators to look beyond tourism, food and scenery. In an increasingly complex global landscape, he argued, storytellers should convey the deeper realities of modern China: its development path, its key contributions to the world, and the vision that has shaped its progress. Together, these perspectives reveal that China's greatest opportunity lies not only in its openness to the world, but in its invitation to the world to understand it deeply, accurately and holistically.