Why did you come to China?

Question

Chinese people often ask me this question. I'm an American living and working in China. I say because I want to learn to sing and learn the meaning of love and how it affects the earth. These are the real reasons I came here. Why did you come?

Also I love studying the Chinese history of teahouse culture!

China will certainly not be the same if the rumors about Guns'N'Roses coming next year become true!!!

Answer 1

Learning the meaning of love and how it affects the earth! I like this. Pretty ambitious goal, but one that I share as well.

I first came to China in 1984, then went back in 1986 to teach for one semester. Then worked briefly on the environmental assessment of Three Gorge dam project in 1988 and 1989 for a large Canadian engineering firm. It was scientific prostitution at best, but I still enjoyed the experience at a time when China was starting to open up to the outside world. After a relatively long break, I started to go back regularly in the mid-90s until now. I am presently doing a couple of environmental projects in Qinghai and the Tibet plateau dealing mostly with the effects of industrialization and other human activities on the Yangtze, Mekong and Yellow rivers, and hope to relocate there in a year or so to help designing and implementing environmental management systems and public participation regimes in cold regions with large ethnic minorities. Why? I like the country and the people and had only great experiences. I am naive and still believe that we can make a difference by sharing our common experiences and learning from each others.

Answer 2

As China increasingly is seen as a growing business power, interest in learning the Chinese language had rocketed, and dominance of Chinese over English will be a long time coming. More and more people begin to learn Chinese, because here is clear career potential for the future. help you learn easier and faster. Check this site http://www.hellomandarin.com/ it may help you learn Chinese easier and faster. Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm a Chinese person in Hong Kong. I was born here, raised here, and educated here. (I'm still 11 years old) But if I was a foreigner, I would probably say that because it's a great place to do business in. And for me, it's because of the food, people, entertainment, and... everything! Proud to be Chinese.

Answer 4

wow, you went for that reason . . .?

well, I'm going because I like learning about China's culture and history! And Next year, summer 2008, I'll be studying abroad there (in Tianjin) so I can study Chinese! Can't wait!

Answer 5

To do research for my dissertation on Chinese nationalism. I lived in China for about 3 years whilst in grad school.

My dissertation is now banned in China, sadly.

Answer 6

Oh my! Some of the responses are pretty ignorant. And you wonder why the Chinese give you attitude? I am from HK and we learn English from kindergarten.

I love the food because of the variety within Chinese food. Love Shanghainese and Sichuan. But my favorite is still Cantonese (and I admit I am a little bias).

Answer 7

I go to china for the sake of my fiancee who I met at http://www.chinesetime.cn/ ...
3 month ago she taught me Chinese through Skype, we had a honey communication, and she looks so hot!! So i decided to have a date with her in China!!

Answer 8

If that is an honest answer, sure. Not sure how it comes out in translation.

Thought woud you would be there to learn the culture, language etc..., though.

Answer 9

Because I am from HK and China has great food!

Answer 10

to learn about the culture and to experience the complexity and rapid development. i wanted to know the people speak the language and eat the food.