A South African doctor’s stories with China

Source: China Story| Published: 2020-09-14

On September 9, Brett visited the office building of China Story in Dongcheng District, Beijing. (China Story/Song Jiaru)

Walking out of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Brett Lyndall Singh was immersed in full excitement. As a foreign volunteer in Wenzhou, he has just attended a national meeting to commend role models in the country's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

Known as Xin Chengle or A Le in Chinese, Brett has integrated into local life in Wenzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province. Majoring in paediatrics and currently doing clinical practice and research in the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (WMU), Brett chose to stay in Wenzhou and hold his ground in the wake of the epidemic.

Apart from providing the medical help on the front line during the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, Brett also recorded the situation and changes of the city and his hospital with photos and videos in Wenzhou. He posted them on international social media platforms, giving an authentic account of the anti-epidemic life in China. Cooperated with China Story, a database built by Chinaso of Xinhua News Agency offering China’s stories, Brett made and posted the “Dr Brett Lyndall in China” series, giving tips to people for mental health and introducing the good order in Wenzhou at that time.

On September 9, Brett visited the office building of China Story in Dongcheng District, Beijing. (China Story/Song Jiaru)

For Brett, a foreigner who has stayed in China for nearly 10 years and familiar with China Story, what is his view about China and China Story? This time Brett was invited to the office building of China Story to give his comments and talk about his ideas.

Having lived in Wenzhou since 2011, Brett is deeply impressed by the tremendous progress China has made in this decade. “There are great changes in China! I saw the massive GDP growth, the achievement in poverty alleviation and people’s lives greatly improved. China has good social order and rule of law, which are very important for a country with 1.4 billion people.” Brett said.

Speaking of the anti-epidemic fighting in China, Brett said he learned that everyone had his role in this society and was required to play his role as well as share to other people the progress that he was making in his field. He was impressed by the scene that all of the Chinese people came together to help each other fight the epidemic. “Now, it is September of 2020, and it is a beautiful day today in Beijing. I think it is a beautiful day not just because the weather is good, but also because the people showed solidarity in fighting the virus and unite with one dream.”

On September 9, Brett visited the office building of China Story in Dongcheng District, Beijing. (China Story/Song Jiaru)

Out of his real feelings, he posted several videos on social media platforms and China Story. “I think China Story is an excellent choice for a foreigner who lives in China for many years, and it is a good platform to use as it enables both the Chinese and foreigners’ living in China to share their wonderful stories,” Brett spoke highly of China Story as he believes telling good stories in China can make people identify the positive elements in their life and take pride in the good things they have done. Brett expressed that it is good to remember and celebrate them, such as the stories happening during the fight against COVID-19 in China. “This is a platform for foreigners outside China to have a look at and learn about other people and their stories. These are the stories in our life which are truthful and trustful,” Brett said. “Through our sharing, people learn about what has happened and move to believe the reality and discount the rumours.”

On September 9, Brett visited the office building of China Story in Dongcheng District, Beijing. (China Story/Song Jiaru)

What Brett learned from the Chinese was that “they document things and write what has happened down”. Brett believes that Chinese people record history to remember the past and avoid the repetition of mistakes, and also make plans for the future. China Story is a good platform to note down the stories and help more foreigners know about China. The profound Chinese culture, lovely Chinese language and friendly Chinese people attract Brett much, and he is willing to present all of them to more people.

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