Are foreigners discriminated against in China?

• Source: Global Times
• [23:19 December 13 2009]
• Comments

Khayam Masood, a Pakistani doctor and program director for overseas students at Capital Medical University in Beijing I have been in China for more than 10 years, from being a student of medicine to a professional working in Beijing.

Being a foreigner I have had my fair share of experiences in China. Honestly put, they are very good and memorable ones.

About 10 years ago the status of a foreigner in China was at a level where if people saw one in the street, they would bend over backward to just catch a glimpse of the laowai (foreigner).

During my student life in Zhengzhou, the Chinese people helped me a lot to learn the culture and way of life in China.

The secret of picking up the language very fast was less my ability and more the encouragement and appreciation that I received from ordinary people on the street.

Locals didn't seem to mind putting in the effort to make me understand the complexities and niceties that seem to come with their culture.

I am currently working for the teaching sta. in Beijing University and for the management sta. at Capital Medical University, Beijing.

I feel no di. erent from any other sta. member on my team. They treat me equally and trust me just as much as I trust them.

This comfort level that has developed between the foreigners and the Chinese community is an example of how foreigners try their best to adapt to the environment.

Although the world appears to be infl uenced by the Western world, China stands tall and distinct.

Nowadays, the country is not only maintaining its heritage and culture, but also developing its infrastructure and economy by leaps and bounds toward their own idea of a perfect future.

I'm very satisfi ed with my life as a foreigner in China and to be a part of this amazing transformation.