China, a land of endless opportunities

Making my way to China 前往中国

My name is Sunathree Ravindra, a Mauritian Citizen; I arrived in China at the beginning of spring in 2017. I first visited this vast country as a tourist, hoping to visit some Chinese acquaintances I had made back home.  I met those friends while working for AIESEC (a youth-led non-profit organization dedicated to the development of young students' leadership) on an environmental initiative; they had come to Mauritius to volunteer. I learned to respect their work ethic and warm generosity during our time together. I'm a naturally curious and adventurous person; therefore, in March 2017, I boarded a plane to Beijing. Arriving here was a very touching moment for me; everything was so modern and different, and I had the opportunity to visit numerous cities during my month here before returning home.

When I returned to Mauritius, I realized that China was where I wanted to further my career, so I applied to the Beijing Institute of Technology to study International Economics and Trade, and I returned to China in August 2017. The first few months were difficult because I couldn't grasp the mandarin language, but thanks to some fantastic friends and my teachers, I was able to get through it.

我叫苏纳特里·拉文德拉，来自毛里求斯，我于2017年初春来到中国。我第一次访问这个幅员辽阔的国家是作为一名游客，希望能拜访我在家乡结识的一些中国熟人。我在为Aiesec(是由青年自主领导的非营利组织的，致力于让青年学生发展自身领导力)的一项环境倡议工作时遇到了这些朋友；他们来到毛里求斯是为了做志愿者。在我们相处的这段时间里，我学会了尊重和欣赏他们的职业道德与热情慷慨。我是一个天生充满好奇心和冒险精神的人，因此，我在2017年3月登上了飞往北京的飞机。来到这里对我来说触动非常大，这里的一切都是那么的现代和独具特色，一个月里，我有机会参观了中国许多城市。

当我回到毛里求斯时，我意识到中国是我开启新的职业生涯的地方，所以我申请了北京理工学院学习国际经济与贸易，并于2017年8月返回中国。最初的几个月的学习生活很艰难，因为我不能掌握中文，但多亏了一些很棒的朋友和老师的帮助，我才得以度过难关。

Mauritius & China's Friendship毛里求斯与中国的友谊

Before coming to China, I was oblivious to the strong friendship between our two nations. Over the past 50 years, our two countries have cooperated closely in economic and cultural fields, bringing tangible benefits to our two nations. In 2021 the Free Trade Agreement between China and Mauritius came into effect. This is the first free trade agreement signed by China with an African country, injecting strong impetus into the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. The agreement made trade between Mauritius and China increase by 25%, even during the current pandemic. China has actively carried out anti-epidemic cooperation with Mauritius and has provided Mauritius with masks and vaccines to help fight the pandemic.

The first Chinese nationals came to Mauritius in the 1780s, and Chinese culture has been deeply rooted in the Mauritian culture. You definitely can find some traces of it in the local food. As an Immigrant country, Mauritius has been doing a great job integrating different cultures; as a result, the Spring festival is a national holiday in Mauritius. To celebrate the 50th year of diplomatic relations between Mauritius and China, CGTN organized a special show which I was honored to join.

在来中国之前，我对我们两国之间的深厚友谊了解得不多。50年来，两国在经济、文化等领域开展了密切合作，给两国带来了实实在在的利益。2021年，《中毛自贸协定》正式生效。这是中国与非洲国家签署的首个自贸协定，为两国经贸合作注入了强劲动力。该协议使毛里求斯和中国之间的贸易增长了25%，即使在当前疫情期间也是如此。中方积极开展同毛里求斯的抗疫合作，向毛里求斯提供了口罩、疫苗等物资，帮助毛里求斯抗击疫情。 

1780年代，第一批中国人来到毛里求斯，中国文化开始融入毛里求斯文化。你肯定可以在当地的食物中找到中国饮食文化的踪迹。作为一个移民国家，毛里求斯在吸收融合不同文化方面做得很好；因此，春节是毛里求斯的国定假日。为了庆祝毛里求斯和中国建交50周年，中国国际贸易网络组织了一次特别展览，我很荣幸参加。

2022 CGTN French channel hosted a forum celebrating the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China & Mauritius.

2022年，CGTN法语举办论坛，庆祝中毛建交50周年。

Discovering China发现中国

My time in China has been defined by a series of life-changing experiences that have allowed me to enrich my talents and mature as a person. My favorite experience is from a competition during which we traveled to cities along the ancient Silk Road and explored them. I learned a lot about the many cities in China and their unique roles in the country's growth. What we eat every day is the result of a tremendous amount of effort, and this magic happens not in the megacities but in the most remote cities across China; this story applies to a variety of industries. China is a country rich in abundant products. I've visited deserts where people grew tomatoes, selling their products to many cities in China as well as exporting them overseas. I came to the realization that with the correct tools and expertise, we can maximize the potential of even the most difficult piece of land, benefiting society.

我在中国的经历改变了我的人生，丰富了我的才能，让我变得成熟。我最喜欢的一次经历是在一次比赛中，我们前往古丝绸之路沿线的城市进行探索。使我对中国的许多城市以及它们在国家发展中所扮演的独特角色有了很多了解。比如种植业和养殖业，我们每天吃的东西是我们付出很多努力的结果，这种奇迹不是发生在大城市，而是发生在中国最偏远的城市，这个故事适用于各种行业。中国是一个物产非常丰富的国家。我去过一些沙漠，那里的人们种植西红柿，把它们销售到中国的很多城市，并出口到海外。我意识到，只要有正确的工具和科学的专业知识，即使是最困难的一块土地，我们也可以最大限度地让它发挥潜力，有益于社会。

In 2018, CGTN French channel launched 《the Belt and Road Knowledge Contest》

2018年CGTN法语频道推出《一带一路知识竞赛》大型节目

China's Innovation Hub 中国创新中心 

China has become one of Asia's (if not the world's) fastest developing and innovative countries in recent years. The government is working hard to assist young people in realizing their entrepreneurial goals. Foreigners are provided benefits such as favorable office space, mentorship, business registration, and finance. Many foreigners, including myself, have taken advantage of these policies that are accessible to us and have started our own enterprises.

中国已成为亚洲乃至世界发展创新最快的国家之一。中国政府正在努力帮助年轻人实现创业目标。向外国人提供良好的办公空间、辅导、商业登记和金融等福利。包括我在内的许多外国人都利用了这些政策，创办了我们自己的企业。

If you're an entrepreneur in Beijing, you'll find a thriving startup ecosystem, and I was able to take advantage of the various events and competitions to further my professional development. I was able to put my pitching skills and entrepreneurial mindset to the test, as well as meet a lot of interesting people. My advice is to get out there and volunteer and meet new people if you want to grow and improve. You will continue to gain new wonderful experiences.

如果你是北京的一名创业者，你会发现这里有一个欣欣向荣的创业生态系统。我能够利用各种各样的条件和比赛来进一步发展我的专业。我能够将我的推销技巧和创业思维付诸实践，并结识了许多有趣的人。我的建议是，如果你想成长和提高，就出去做志愿者，结识新朋友。你会不断获得新的很好的经验。

Participating in various Business Competitions in Beijing 

参加北京各类商业比赛

Various events that I participated in and volunteered in 

我参加的各种活动和志愿者

Mauritius & China's Bright & Shared Future 毛里塔尼亚与中国光明共享的未来

In this vibrant and dynamic country, I have seen and learned many stories of people who come to China for entrepreneurship, development and found success here.  The recently signed free trade agreement between Mauritius and China fills me with confidence as I can see China as a land  filled with unlimited opportunities. I look forward to working with Chinese youth to create a brighter and better future.

在这个充满生机和活力的国家里，我看到和了解到很多来到中国创业、并在这里成长和成功的人的故事。毛里求斯和中国最近签署的自由贸易协定，让我对中国这片充满无限机遇的土地更加有信心和期待，我愿与中国青年共同努力创造更加光明和美好的未来。