I am Mukhammadali, 28, from Uzbekistan. I am currently studying at the International School of Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, majoring in International Economics and Trade. Having lived in this metropolis for the past four years, I have encountered people from all walks of life and heard diverse stories from various sources. I would like to share these experiences with you.

Mukhammadali poses for a photo in Shanghai, China.

Before coming to China, especially to Shanghai, I used to have a completely different view of the country. This is all because we don't have a full understanding of China. This in turn leads to us forming either a correct or incorrect impression of it. Those who have been in the country can easily understand why this is the case.

From my perspective, it might be because the outside world does not have the right access to Chinese media, which prevents them from seeing what real life is like out there. Because of this, what I knew back then was only the tip of the iceberg, or let’s say, what “others” wanted me to hear.

One of the false accusations is that all the products manufactured in China are of low quality, so we simply did not want to purchase stuff made in China. Another is the perception of the food they eat. As the Chinese saying goes, "Whatever moves in the water, on land, or in the air is edible." These examples are just some of the most common ones among foreigners, but there are plenty of others if one were to make a list.

Regarding Xinjiang, what we often heard was that people were mistreated by some policies, which I later learned actually target only illegal individuals or groups.

Yet, in 2019, my understanding of China started to alter from the moment I landed at the airport in Urumqi from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The design and size of the airport were so astounding that it made me wonder if this was an airport in a mega city.

Actually, looking at a city’s infrastructure, you can guess how developed a country is. When I arrived in Shanghai, the transport system was similar to those of other European countries, which confused me because, in my imagination, China was still a developing country without advanced developments and technologies. Here, the goods placed on market stalls for sale and the services offered are of high quality.

So far, I have been able to acquaint myself with so many people who are originally from Xinjiang and work or study in Shanghai. All of them are well-educated and no different from other Chinese people; they speak fluent and natural Mandarin, contrary to a stereotype about them.

Overall, I’ve been living my life in this city with great pleasure as I have learned how to use chopsticks and enjoy eating with them, to drink more hot water for any kind of illness because it balances the body’s Yin-Yang, to stay humble and cool-headed, and to admire the eye-catching late evening street dances by aunties, something that is hard to experience in most other countries.

Mukhammadali is an Uzbekistani student studying at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.

Producer: Xiao Chunfei

Supervisors: Ding Tao and Jie Wenjin

Planners: Jie Wenjin and Cheng Li

Reviewers: Cheng Li and Hou Weili

Editor: Gvlzar Mijit