In the past weeks, the most important event for Mroivili Faouzia from Comoros has been the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing. As a graduate student at Tianjin University in China, she is particularly focused on the achievements of this summit in promoting cooperation in the education sector between China and Africa. “I am very pleased to see the outcomes of the summit in terms of people-to-people exchanges,” she stated. “This means that many African women like me will have excellent opportunities to receive education in China, which will greatly advance the development of women in Africa and, in turn, promote the progress and development of African countries.”
Faouzia is a direct beneficiary of this cooperation. On the eve of the 2018 FOCAC Summit, His Excellency Azali Assoumani, the President of Comoros, visited Tianjin University, where a memorandum of understanding was signed between the university and the Embassy of the Union of Comoros. This agreement has greatly supported Comoran students like Faouzia to study at Tianjin University for the past five years.
“Can you believe my connection with China began with a memory of ice cream?” Faouzia laughed. “When I was young, there was an ice cream vendor in my neighborhood who sold the most delicious ice cream I’ve ever tasted. The owner was said to be Chinese. My impression of China was that it was a place that made the best ice cream, and I thought, ‘I will go there when I grow up!’” She smiled as she reminisced about her childhood.
As she grew older, Faouzia learned more about China, developing a strong interest in the country. “China was among the first nations to recognize Comoros as an independent state and has supported my country in nearly every sector.” This interest peaked during her second year of high school in 2017. “Two significant events helped strengthen that interest,” she recalled.
The first was a classmate who began learning Chinese through the Confucius program at the University of Comoros, which later evolved into the Confucius Institute offering free Chinese courses. “When I heard about it, I thought I’d love to study Chinese too,” she said, her excitement evident. However, when she discussed this decision with her mom, she was cautioned about the challenges ahead. “I was on a tight schedule as a second-year high school student, and the Institute is in another city,” she reflected.
Despite these obstacles, her passion for learning the language outweighed her concerns. Since January 2017, she has devoted every Sunday to traveling between cities to attend Chinese classes. “Considering what happened later, I couldn’t have made a better decision. All the trouble paid off,” Faouzia said, pride illuminating her voice.
The second event happening at the same time is the medical care she received from a team of Chinese doctors coming from Guangxi Province in China.“As a premature baby, my health had been unstable for a long time. This time, the Chinese doctor performed acupuncture, and it worked like a miracle!” Faouzia exclaimed.
She noted that after the treatment, she felt stronger than ever. This remarkable experience not only healed her physical ailments but also inspired her dream of studying medicine in China. “I’m forever grateful for the care and treatment provided by the Chinese people,” she said affectionately. She has kept in touch with her doctor to this day.
Half a year after starting her Chinese studies, she participated in a Chinese proficiency contest and earned the opportunity to compete in the finals in China in September 2017. “That was my first time stepping onto foreign soil,” Faouzia admitted, sharing how she fell in love with China the moment she exited Beijing’s airport.
“It’s so different from my own country, yet so refreshing and charming.” During the contest, she visited a Chinese university and decided to further her education in China. “Fortunately, I performed well in the contest and was awarded a language study program in China.”
After completing high school, she studied Chinese for a semester at the University of Comoros before heading to Dalian University in March 2019 for the language program. While many relatives encouraged her to study in France or Italy—due to the language convenience of French and the relative proximity to Comoros—she remained committed to her decision. “Deep inside, I’m a curious girl craving adventure and new cultures. I want to broaden my perspective of the world. China is definitely the dream place for me to explore.”
Eventually, she applied to study for her bachelor’s degree at Tianjin University. “At that time, Tianjin University hadn’t established its Medical School, but it excelled in computer science and artificial intelligence.” She chose to major in Computer Science and Technology for her bachelor’s degree and focused on knowledge graphs for her master’s, aiming to integrate artificial intelligence with medicine in her future studies.
“I have truly enjoyed my life here in China, largely because the people are so kind and generous.” Faouzia has made numerous friends among the Chinese, from classmates to helpful neighbors. “They are always ready to lend a hand, shelter me, and share their culture.” She has celebrated two Spring Festivals with local families, immersing herself in this vibrant tradition. Last year’s summer, she was invited to spend a week in a friend’s hometown in a small Hebei village. “They showed me great respect regarding food and living habits,” Faouzia shared, noting that she became friends with every family member.
In return, she has sought to give back to the Chinese community and strengthen the ties between the two nations. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she joined a community volunteer group and served as a medical assistant. “I gained a profound understanding of our shared future during that time.” She actively participated in various cultural events on and off campus, particularly fascinated by China’s oracle culture and its festivals.
Before the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation opened, Faouzia and other African students at Tianjin University filmed a congratulatory video. In the video, she expressed her hope that with mutual respect, equality, and collaboration, China and African countries can achieve more in fields like education, technology, and sustainable development. “Together, we are fostering a future of shared prosperity, cultural exchange, and mutual respect.”
By Eva Yin
