Exploring China: A Student’s Journey Through the World’s Second-Largest Economy
During the most recent half-term, I had visited China; something I had been thinking about for some time. As a Year 12 economics student who has studied Mandarin for three years and is becoming more interested in global economic systems, I wanted more than just classroom theory. I wanted to improve my language skills, get a firsthand look at China's economic transformation, and learn about the people behind the numbers.
writes Dmitry M. (L6)
My visit to Heilongjiang University was one of the highlights of my trip. I had the honour of meeting with Zhang Wei, a professor at the School of Economics and Business Administration. We soon discussed the factors that have contributed to China's remarkable economic growth. China's "economic miracle," according to Professor Zhang, who teaches political economy and development seminars, was caused by the reform and opening-up policies initiated by Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s.
Later, I met with the Chief Economist of the Bank of China, with whom we mainly discussed policies. He highlighted the growing importance of clean energy, digital finance and most importantly the movement away from an export-led economy as the keys to China’s economic future. While acknowledging current challenges such as youth unemployment, demographic shifts and trade tensions, he remained optimistic about China’s capacity to adapt and lead, especially through technological self-sufficiency and increased global use of the yuan.
While I was there, I also went to classes at a local secondary school and even taught some maths classes at a nearby primary school. I was in front of a class of eager young students of only 9 years of age, and quickly found that it was also the best way to test my Mandarin. It was humbling and heartwarming, and it showed me what life is really like in China in a way that no book could.
From these classroom experiences to university lectures, I was continually impressed by the seriousness with which education is taken, and the energy students bring to their ambitions. I can now completely understand how the country has maintained decades of economic momentum – by vigorously focusing on education and innovation.
As someone preparing for university and a career that might one day cross borders, this experience showed me the value of immersive learning and of meeting people where they live and learn. China is not just a headline or a data set. It’s a country of ambition, resilience and human connection. And I’m grateful to have caught even a glimpse of it.
