Mahzaib Abbasi, a Pakistani student, has been fostering a sense of camaraderie between Pakistan and China through her Vlogs. Abbasi has been in China for almost seven years and is currently studying at the Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU). Through her vlogs, she has been showcasing Chinese culture, food, and daily life to people in Pakistan, as well as in the USA, Europe, and Middle Eastern countries.
Pakistani student, Mahzaib Abbasi’s journey to China
Under the Confucius Institute Scholarship Programme, Abbasi initially arrived in China in 2016 to study the Chinese language. During her academic stint in the capital city, she was presented with numerous opportunities to travel across almost 50 cities in the neighboring nation. She has been documenting her experiences in her vlogs, which provide insight into the ancient culture, modern cities, high-rise buildings, and the daily lives of Chinese people.
In her vlogs, Abbasi showcases the diversity of Chinese culture by exploring different cities and their unique offerings. For instance, she stayed in Yunnan, where she visited cities such as Lijiang, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Kunming, and Shangri-La, and experienced their ancient culture. She also showcased the modern cities and high-rise buildings present in China, highlighting how traveling in these places feels great.
Abbasi has also made videos on the life of Muslims, mosques, religious freedom, and the availability of halal food in China. She highlights that there are many Muslims in China, and halal food is available everywhere. According to her, Muslims exist in almost every city in China, and halal food is available to eat. She documented her visit to Muslim Street in Xi’an and captured Muslims gathered in a mosque in Lanzhou to offer prayers on Eid. Through her videos, she shows that people are free to do religious activities and highlights that many people have misconceptions about Muslims in China not having the freedom to go to mosques and pray.
Abbasi hopes that her vlogs will provide a glimpse of Chinese culture, people, and daily life to those who have never been to China. She notes that many people in Pakistan do not know much about China and that after watching her videos, many people realize how beautiful and convenient China is. After finishing her postgraduate studies, Abbasi intends to teach the Chinese language in either Pakistan or a Middle Eastern country.
Abbasi’s vlogs have gained popularity on social media, with many people appreciating her efforts to promote Pak-China friendship. Pakistan and China have had strong diplomatic relations for many years, and Abbasi’s vlogs serve as a testament to the bond between the two countries. The promotion of cultural exchange between the two countries can help deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Pakistan and China.
Moreover, Abbasi’s vlogs can also be seen as a form of soft diplomacy, a way to create goodwill and positive perceptions of China among people in Pakistan and other countries. Soft diplomacy involves the use of culture, education, and other non-traditional forms of diplomacy to create positive perceptions of a country and its people.
In recent years, China has been increasing its use of soft diplomacy to promote its image and expand its global influence. The Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to enhance connectivity and economic cooperation between China and other countries, is an example of China’s soft diplomacy efforts. Additionally, China has been promoting its language and culture through the establishment of Confucius Institutes around the world.
Read More: Malala Yousafzai announces new memoir, 10 years after ‘I Am Malala’
Abbasi’s vlogs are an example of how individuals can also contribute to promoting cultural exchange and understanding between countries. In a world where there are often tensions and conflicts between nations, initiatives like Abbasi’s can help foster peace and goodwill. Mahzaib Abbasi’s vlogs have been creating awareness and bridging the gap between Pakistan and China by showcasing the cultural diversity, food, and daily life of China.
