At political and economic levels, China and the US are strengthening communication and cooperation as China becomes more opened up to the rest of the world. At social levels, people of the two nations are developing even closer bonds through much more frequent visits to each other's country. Our reporter Gui Xiaozeng takes us to meet a special American friend who lives and works in China and sees the amazing interaction between the two cultures.

This is Mark Levine, a US folk musician. It might be unusual to see a westerner handling a traditional Chinese musical instrument so well, but this is just a very ordinary moment in his daily life, after he came to China five and a half years ago to join a national campaign to educate Chinese people in the English language.

Mark has a Ph.D in Sociology from the United States. He also knows a great deal about China's political history, and is a big fan of the first Premier of the People's Republic of China - Zhou Enlai. He began his life in China by teaching in Premier Zhou's home town Huai'an for two years. Out of love and respect for Zhou, he also wrote a song which touched Zhou's family very much and made them close friends.

Mark began teaching at the Department of Foreign Studies at Minzu University of China when he left Huai'an. He says he has always been amazed by the creativity and competence of his students, while the class sees him as a great inspiration to their growing minds.

Dr. Mark Levine, Teacher, Musician Sociologist, said,"I have a class full of Chinese students....Apart from teaching, Mark has become a friendly western face known to many ordinary Chinese people by taking part in cultural activities and charity events across the country. He has written many folk songs on all kinds of topics to express his affection toward the beautiful land of China and its people. But what really made him famous in this country was when he competed on a popular entertainment program called "Star Avenue".

Amazed by his talent, many audiences also wonder why Mark loves China so much and has managed to adapt into this Asian lifestyle so well. He says deep inside, there is a spirit in Chinese people which he has always had.

Dr. Mark Levine, Teacher, Musician Sociologist, said, "Individualism is stronger in the US...make an effort together to make it happen."

Mark says there is an eagerness among people in both China and the US to know more about each other, and it's really important for them to try harder through different ways to enhance exchanges. Just like Mark and his music, they cross boundaries and touch so many hearts.

Go to Forum >>0 Comments