1 . With a leather book cover, a golden overhang, made from colored paper and edges of the book painted red, the French version of An Introduction to The Analects of Confucius《论语入门》is a classic from the Age of Enlightenment in France. The book is about the political ideas, ethical thoughts and moral concepts of China more than 2,000 years ago. Francois Bernier, the author of the book, would never have expected that the French version of the Chinese classic translated by him could be brought to China more than 300 years after he finished it.

The French version of An Introduction to The Analects of Confucius is a national gift. 2019 marked the 55th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic ties. On March 24 of that year, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Nice, France. Before their meeting, Macron presented Xi with the original French version of An Introduction to The Analects of Confucius published in France in 1688.

As a classic of traditional Chinese culture, The Analects of Confucius《论语》was introduced to Europe as early as the 17th century. Commenting on the influence of Chinese culture in France, Macron said the thoughts of Confucius had deeply inspired French thinkers such as Voltaire and had a long-lasting influence on the French Enlightenment (启蒙运动).

After hearing Macron’s introduction, Xi said he would take this precious gift back to China’s National Library. President Xi once said that the rich philosophical ideas, humanistic spirit, edifying thoughts (教化思想) and moral concepts of China’s fine traditional culture can provide useful inspiration for understanding and transforming the world, for governing the country, and for moral construction.

2 . “We don’t mind using GPS,” says our Aboriginal guide Baamba in his Australian accent, as he looks out across the wilderness which belongs to his tribe. The red ground ahead is covered with bushes and trees. Although it’s early, it’s already 30 degrees in the shade. It’s a difficult hike, but Baamba is a sensible guide: he always carries a satellite phone in his backpack in case of emergencies. His ancestors, however, relied on songs.

The early Australian Aborigines made the land navigable (可航行的) through songs, dance and paintings. The songs described pathways or “songlines”, which provided an oral “map” of the land. They showed people where to find a water hole, where there was a river and where they could hunt. Generations of Aboriginals followed these pathways, leaving clear marks and carvings on rocks and trees to help future travelers. “But the songs describe more than a pathway,” explains Baamba. “They also tell stories about how the world was created.” According to Aboriginal stories, the world was created, when giant beings, part human, part animal, came down from the sky. From across the sea and from deep in the earth.

One of the many sacred sites called Arkaroo Rock was mentioned in the songs and stories about the land. These songs and stories show the close relationship between the native people and their environment, how they saw themselves as part of nature rather than master of it, and how their way of life resulted in a valuable knowledge of their land. It was a way of life with more than 2,000 generations. It was a way of life that was safe from invasion and influence until 1788.

____________ Sadly, this destroyed their ancient way of life, and many Aboriginal songlines were lost. Today, people like Baamba are trying to restore this heritage and preserve it.

It’s late now and Baamba is waiting outside Arkaroo Rock. Inside, we’re admiring the beautiful cave paintings, but as soon as we have taken some photos, we leave. Dark clouds are visible on the horizon—there are already flashes of lightning and thunder in the distance. As we drive away, the wind blows through the trees, and we can almost hear the voices of those first Australians, singing the songs of their ancestors, and following the songlines.

3 . Come to China, enjoying four amazing teas

West Lake Longjing

West Lake Longjing is one of China’s famous green teas, produced in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. It’s renowned for its unique appearance, aroma and taste. With a long history dating from the Tang Dynasty, Longjing tea improved over time, and was offered as a tribute (贡品) in the Qing Dynasty. West Lake Longjing tea is known for its benefits such as refreshing the mind, quenching (缓解) thirst, and reducing fats in the blood.

Enshi Yulu

Enshi Yulu is the only remaining steamed needle-shaped green tea in China, produced in Enshi, Hubei province. The dry tea resembles pine needles and has a lush green color. Its production technique dates back to the Tang Dynasty and gained fame during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Enshi Yulu has a moderate selenium (硒) content and offers health benefits such as antioxidation and anticancer properties.

Pu’er

Pu’er is a unique fermented (发酵的) tea from Yunnan province classified into two types: raw and ripe Pu’er. It originated in the Tang Dynasty, but it wasn’t until the Qing Dynasty that Pu’er tea became significant trade goods. Raw Pu’er tea is initially bitter but becomes smoother and pleasant with age. Ripe Pu’er tea undergoes artificial fermentation, resulting in a rich flavor with distinctive aged aromas and sweetness.

Jasmine Tea

Typically based on green tea, jasmine tea combines the fragrance of jasmine flowers with tea leaves. It dates back to the Song Dynasty when people began mixing jasmine flowers with tea to enhance the tea’s fragrance. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it had became a tribute tea for the imperial court. Jasmine tea is particularly suitable for consumption in hot summers, helping people to cool down.

The Duan inkstone, one of the four most famous inkstones in China,     1     (originate) in the mountains by the Duanxi River in Guangdong Province. Since the Tang Dynasty, it has been the     2     (center) region for Duan inkstone production and even today, most of the villagers still earn their living by making inkstones.

Throughout hundreds of years, villagers have developed     3     scientific production system. The process involves stone selection, material screening, shape designing, carving, and wooden box matching, among     4     stone selection and carving are the two most important steps.

Purple     5     color, Duan inkstones are glossy and as smooth as silk. They enjoy a great reputation as they never crack even when     6     (place) in low temperatures. It is a long and laborious process to handpick flawless Duan stones. Miners dig in tunnels less than one meter high at the riverside, and using tools such as dynamite (炸药)     7     (forbid).

Carving involves good conception, and highlights the fine shape of the stones     8     carving skills. In addition to natural designs, flying dragons, flowers and birds, figures, mountains and waters are common     9     (image) carved on the stones. The matching boxes are also carefully chosen and are often made of purple sandalwood and rosewood. The Duan inkstone has various styles, and new-style products are designed one after another     10     (meet) increased export demands.

It is believed that Chinese knotting, also known as zhongguojie, originated for recording information and exchanging messages     1     writing was invented. Over the past thousands of years, knots     2     (play) an important part in the life of Chinese.    3     (initial), Chinese knots acted as good -luck charms to drive away evil spirits. Today, Chinese knots are widely used to decorate homes during festivities.

A major characteristic of Chinese knots is that they are often tied from a single continuous length of string. The knots are commonly named     4     the shape it takes. Chinese knots are created in a     5     (various) of colors such as gold, green, blue, or black, though the most commonly used color is red,    6     symbolizes good luck and prosperity.

Crafting the Chinese knot is a three-step process     7     (involve) tying knots, tightening them and adding the finishing touches. The knots     8     (pull) tightly together and are strong enough to be used for binding or wrapping, making them very practical.

Today, most of such knots are often mass manufactured in factories. Skilled knot artists weave complex knots that you might see     9     (sell) as souvenirs that you can take back with you. If you have time, why not try your hand at it? Perhaps these age-old charms can add     10     touch of good luck to your daily life?

Exhibition of Chinese Zodiac (生肖) Culture, which is an annual Chinese New Year cultural series exhibition at the Chongqing Three Gorges Museum,     1     (launch) on January 9,2024. This year’s theme is “Dragon Dance in China,” aiming     2     (show) the rich cultural legacy of the dragon.

Open to the public until March 10, the exhibition     3     (consist) of three sections, namely, the King of Insects, the Wisest of All Creatures, and the Purple Air Comes from the East, explaining how the dragon has become a cultural symbol representing imperial power, good fortune, power over weather and water,     4     a pioneering spirit.

The dragon, as     5     spiritual being, has evolved throughout Chinese history, reaching its peak during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The succession of dynasties sees the dragon’s     6     (expand) into various objects, including bronze, jade, copper mirrors, silk fabrics, and more.

    7     (feature) 169 pieces of exhibits related to the symbol of the dragon, the exhibition offers a wide range of artworks, such as jade objects, bronze ware, pottery, clothing, stone carvings, New Year paintings and paper cuttings, among     8     67 pieces are graded cultural relics from different dynasties.

In addition to the exhibition, the Chongqing Three Gorges Museum will continue to host a series of     9     (activity), including intangible cultural heritage experiences and cultural creative markets, making it a great choice     10     winter vacation travel.

Flames in kilns (窑) around China    1     (burn) since the Xia and Shang dynasties. Along the way, porcelain (瓷器) was born.

Porcelain is made by heating raw materials, often a mix between China stone     2     clay, in a kiln at a temperature as high as 1,200 degree Celsius. Temperature is key    3     making porcelain. Going through the fire of reinvention at a high temperature bestows (给予) porcelain with greater strength and a feast of colors.

Celadon produced in Longquan, Zhejiang province, a technique passed down for more than 1,600 years,    4     (be) a typical example of caftsmen’s pursuit of the perfect green glint (闪耀). It takes 72 steps    5     (produce) Longquan celadon’s jade-like green. Plum green and light green, or tianqing, are two colors of the best quality.

Porcelain has also been a carrier for cultural exchanges. Along with China’s silk and tea, porcelain was one of the commodities    6     (trade) worldwide. As it travelled around the globe through the ancient Maritime Silk Road, porcelain enjoyed great    7     (popular) among royal families and upper classes in Europe.

Porcelain began as a practical utensil and    8     (grow) into pieces of art. Even when shattered (打碎) into pieces and buried deep in mud,    9     (culture) values attached to porcelain would never dissipate.

As a memory    10     can be felt with both hands, porcelain is touchable history.

10 . It is no secret that China has an amazingly rich history and culture. My first exposure (接触) to Chinese culture came totally by chance. One day, I entered my grandfather’s personal library and took a book named Tao Te Ching from one of the shelves. As an 8-year-old, the book’s content completely confused me, but it provided me with an early connection to a beautiful and great philosophical (哲学的) tradition that still influences me today.

Around this time, I also came across several cartoons heavily inspired by traditional Chinese culture and martial arts such as Avatar: The Last Airbender and Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat. Both cartoons describe beautiful landscapes and buildings similar to those found in classical Chinese paintings. This further developed my love of the rich and beautiful culture.

At school I began studying Chinese. My interest in the language developed early on, combining my love of travelling with my love of meeting new people. Later on, my interest in the language developed into exploring widespread Chinese culture. I wanted to challenge myself in a totally new linguistic (语言的) landscape and listen to the lives and stories of others in their own language. I have been lucky enough to have lived in China for around three years. I loved every second I spent there and there is never a shortage of things to see and do, people to meet, and foods to enjoy.

It is safe to say that my journey to studying Chinese has only just begun and these first steps are only a drop in the ocean of lifelong learning, but as the Chinese philosopher Laozi says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”