Xiao Pan, have you heard a saying: 'I’m not a foreigner, I’m one of the insiders'? It sounds a bit humorous, but it’s quite interesting.

Yes, I’ve heard it! The person who said it is Kevin Rudd, right? His Chinese is very good, and he was also the Prime Minister of Australia.

That’s right. When he was young, he read a book about ancient Chinese civilization and became fascinated with Chinese culture. Later he became a diplomat and even worked in China.

I study history, and this feels a lot like 'yuanfen'—a kind of destined connection. A small story can change the path of a person’s life.

What’s even more interesting is that he doesn’t just speak Chinese on stage. His family also has ties with China: his daughter runs an online shop in China and lives a very down-to-earth life.

Wow, the daughter of a former prime minister running an e-commerce business! It reminds me that today’s 'people-to-people exchanges' are not only at conferences but also in everyday life.

Exactly. Language here is like a bridge: knowing Chinese can reduce misunderstandings and help people understand each other better. As the ancients said, 'harmony without uniformity.'

Teacher, does that mean learning Chinese isn’t just for exams? If I can read original texts and communicate with scholars, I can also become a small bridge.