The kindness of strangers and connecting through language

When I first received the offer to teach Malay at Guangxi Minzu University in Nanning, I had my reservations. Was this really the best decision? People around me asked, "Even if you're going, why Nanning? Wouldn't it be better to go to Beijing, or at the very least, Guangzhou?"

Not many Malaysians — let alone Malay Malaysians — know much about Nanning. What's even there? Is it easy to find halal food (since I'm Muslim)? And how could there possibly be a Malay language program there? Questions kept piling up.

But driven by a passion for knowledge and especially by the desire to promote Malay language and culture internationally — right in the heart of China — I went ahead without overthinking it.

The moment I arrived in Nanning, I found myself wondering — is this really a tier-2 city? If it were in Malaysia, it could easily pass as tier-1! The air was so fresh and the city was lush and green. In case you didn't know, Nanning is also known as the Green City because of the abundance of trees lining its streets. (If you ever visit Nanning, don't forget to check out Qingxiu Mountain — the scenery is absolutely breathtaking!)

In terms of infrastructure, I love how accessible everything is via the metro. Not only that, I can also rent electric motorcycles parked neatly along the streets to explore the city center — and they're affordable too! It's super convenient: just scan with Alipay or WeChat, and you're on your way!

During my first month in Nanning, I found it a bit challenging to communicate with the locals since I was still new to learning Mandarin. But even so, people were incredibly friendly. I still remember one time when I was enjoying my noodles at a Lanzhou noodle restaurant, a local insisted on paying for my meal. And that's not all — while strolling around Chaoyang Square, I was approached by several locals who spoke English. Almost all of them wanted to take photos with me, as if I were some kind of celebrity!

Nanning serves as the "gateway "for ASEAN-China relations. It hosts the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) every September. Because of this, Southeast Asian languages — including Malay — are actively taught at Guangxi Minzu University. And I'm the teacher! Learning a language doesn't just help us connect — it makes those connections more meaningful. Speaking with locals in a foreign language, or in their own tongue, makes a noticeable difference in the warmth of the interaction. I'm truly impressed that Chinese people have chosen to learn my language. As a Malaysian, this gesture of sincerity is something I'll always cherish.

In terms of values, I believe Malaysians and Chinese share many common principles. As a Malay Muslim, I've found that many Islamic teachings also appear in Confucianism. I realized this after reading The Analects, which was translated into Malay by my colleague at Guangxi Minzu University.

For instance, Confucius strongly emphasized education — and Prophet Muhammad also stressed that seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim. The first revelation in Islam begins with the word "Read!", highlighting the importance of knowledge. This is exactly why I read The Analects — my own faith encourages us to read!

Additionally, Confucius emphasized maintaining good relationships within society. This aligns perfectly with Malay proverbs such as bersatu kita teguh, bercerai kita roboh (united we stand, divided we fall) and bulat air kerana pembentung, bulat manusia kerana muafakat (water is rounded by the container, people are united by consensus).

From this, we can learn that many of the values we hold today are actually shared. I believe celebrating these commonalities — Confucius himself encouraged harmony — is far more meaningful than arguing over differences. Learning about Confucius doesn't make me Chinese, but one thing's for sure, studying his teachings has made me a better person!

Thank you, China. I can't wait to continue my adventures in this remarkable land!

Sadiq Salihoddin is a Malaysian currently working as a Malay language teacher at the faculty of ASEAN languages & culture, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning.