Viewpoints A different perspective | A different perspective |
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1. Can you tell me briefly about your background and your family history? I am a 31 years old mainland Chinese from Beijing. I have been living and working in England for more than 7 years now. I work for the BBC World Service Chinese Section. I have 4 members in my family, my parents, my younger brother and I. Before their retirement my father was a PLA (People's Liberation Army) high official and my mother was a manager of a small trading company. 2. What were your experiences growing up in China? I was born in the 1970's-people who were born in the 70's are considered to be the 'best' generation. They form the spine of Chinese society today, they experienced both the bitterness and poverty. Despite growing up during the Cultural Revolution, my family was protected because my dad was in the army. I therefore had a very happy childhood, even though we were relatively poor, but compared to average people, we were in a better situation, as at that time family members of the army were considered as a privilege class, and we lived in a guarded compound. 3. You met your husband in China, how did your friends and family react to your relationship? Initially they doubted whether our relationship would last, given that Derek is a Chinese (BBC), and he doesn't speak the language-he was raised up in a Western society which has completely different values of life. But after 7 years relationship we passed their test. 4. How did they feel when you came to the UK? My parents have different views, my father thinks when the children grow up, it is good for them to fly with their own wings, but my mother was sad and worried about how would I cope in a completely new environment. 5. What are the most significant changes you have had to your life since you came over? Being independent is the challenge to me. In China, we were told to listen and to be obedient to both our elders and the authorities- don't think for yourself. Whatever comes from your leader or the teachers is correct. You do things the authorities tell you to do. People are unable to have their own views, at least on the surface. If someone has their own initiative to do things without permission from their leaders, they are considered to be the rebellious. I clearly remember when I first came to England and studied at Manchester university, teachers don't tell you what to do, you have to think for yourself, I was stunned and didn't know what to do and where to start. Only later it took long time to get used to it. So I consider this is my best and biggest gaining since I came to England. 6. Have you ever felt that being Chinese has caused problems in the British work place? Because I am working in an environment where most of my colleagues are Chinese, I don't really have any bad experience or problems. But I guess racism is in a subtle form especially among the educated British people, they are polite and friendly to you but underneath the friendliness and politeness lays remoteness. 7. What are your perceptions of the Chinese community in the UK? Do you feel that you are able to integrate with them? My impression is in general, Chinese like to keep themselves to themselves; we are not trouble makers, tolerant and are a race eager to not stand out as long as life can carry on. I do find that among our own race (Mainland Chinese) we are unfriendly to each other, the majority of Chinese in England are from Hong Kong, they are friendly to each other but not to Chinese from other regions, I guess it is not because we are unfriendly people, but because people feel more comfortable with people sharing similar cultures and language. 8. How do you view yourself? -what is your identity? I don't have an identity issue as many BBC do, because I was born and brought-up in China. Migrating to a foreign country does not affect how I view myself. I am 100% Chinese. But I do find it difficult to merge into the British society due to the language problem whereas in this respect it is easier for BBC, at least on the surface. 9. How does this extend to your children if you have any in the future? My husband and I have made an agreement for our future that we will do our best to let the children keep their Chinese roots, and value their heritage and culture. In particular, we plan to bring our children up speaking both Mandarin and English. |
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