This year, I reflect on ‘My China Story’ of 2014, a tribute to China, who over the years has been my country Zambia’s all-weather friend and with whom we celebrated Golden Jubilee at the time.

Looking back at history…5 decades ago, although I wasn’t born yet, I am gripped with nostalgia and emotions on a very personal level over that historical day; 24th October 1964.

Fifty years ago, Zambia’s attainment of independence marked the end of British colonial rule and brought jubilation throughout the country and the African continent. Zambia’s liberation was earmarked by a momentous event at the Independence Stadium when the Union Jack came down. (Nearby, China recently constructed the new world-class standard ‘National Heroes Stadium’, which was the venue of Zambia’s 50th anniversary celebrations on 24th October 2014).

Fifty years ago, on that memorable occasion, the highlight was at midnight when the floodlight focused on and illuminated the Zambian flag being hoisted by a young man. That young man was my father, Joseph Shawa! 19 year old Form Five pupil of Munali School at the time, my father was among the vibrant and zealous boys and girls assigned to lower the British flag to the ground and raise the Zambian up in the sky.

According to freedom fighter and first republican president of Zambia, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, watching the British flag come down and the Zambian rise up moved the entire stadium to tears. Many people collapsed.

“When we saw the British flag coming down and the Zambian flag going up, it was a day…quite a day! I wept tears of joy,” reminisced Dr. Kaunda.

I weep at the memory of my late father Joseph, whose life ended at the age of 59, forty years after he dutifully raised the Zambian flag to the awe of the whole world. As I fondly remember my father, I am deeply touched and proud that he played a significant role 50 years ago at Zambia’s independence celebrations. It was indeed quite a day!

Fifty years down the line, Zambia commemorates independence and incidentally, Zambia-China 50 years of mutual friendship, diplomatic ties and bilateral relations established by Dr. Kaunda and late Chairman Mao Zedong of the People’s Republic of China.

Notably, ‘Kaunda’ is a household name in China, very popular especially among the older folks. Upon discovering I was Zambian, they animatedly spoke highly of Kaunda, ‘Kaunda of Zambia is our good friend!’ They also recalled the TAZARA (Tanzania-Zambia railway) built by China in the 1970s.

Growing up, I remember keenly listening to my father speak of his travels. He introduced the family to Chinese films and often took us to cinemas to watch kung fu and his favorite actor, Bruce Lee. My father encouraged me to study in China and promised to attend my graduation. Unfortunately, in May 2005, just a month before my graduation ceremony, my father passed away.

Essentially, Zambia’s founding father Kaunda and my own biological father Joseph laid the foundation and set a clear path for me to follow that led me straight to China.

Being awarded a Chinese government scholarship in 2001 was a dream come true. The only female out of eight students selected to study in China then, I arrived in the capital Beijing, dumb-founded and filled with admiration at its achievements. Three days later, I was put on a slow train to Shanghai, a journey that took 24 hours. As the train passed through country-sides, I sighted peasant farmers working in rice paddies with wide-brimmed straw hats protecting their heads from the scorching sun.

With absolutely no knowledge of the Chinese language, I felt my heart sink as the train neared Shanghai, the biggest city in China. I was instantly awestruck by its beauty and splendour. I marvelled at the elaborate blend of Chinese ancient-style buildings, pagodas and numerous modern sky scrapers. The tallest buildings I had ever seen in my entire life loomed over me. For a moment I was overwhelmed, claustrophobic and feared the buildings might collapse above me. I was mesmerised by the intricate transport network and state of the art ring roads. Never before had I seen or been on a Metro or Subway. My experiences and exposure in China went as far as travelling on the Shanghai Maglev (bullet) train from Pudong airport. Amazed, I learned that the Shanghai Maglev train is the fastest commercial train service with top speed of 431km/h and that China’s high speed rail system is the longest in the world.

My university, East China Normal University happens to be one of the best and most reputable in the country. I was impressed that there were more than 500 universities in Mainland China. Like all other foreign students, I was given a Chinese name, 夏娃meaning the biblical Eve. I acquired a Master Degree in World Economics along with Mandarin-speaking skills.

Life in China was enlightening. I observed that the Chinese were the most disciplined students I had ever encountered in all my years of study. Time-conscious, they hurriedly rode their bicycles to school while at the same time ate their breakfast. My classmates had a culture of punctuality, running into the lecture room and quietly reviewing previous lessons way before the lecturer entered. They had utmost respect for the lecturers and never complained when a period exceeded the stipulated three hours with only ten-minute recess in between!

I found that the Chinese people had a unique working culture; hardworking, sacrificial spirit of patriotism for collective national goal and completing projects well ahead of schedule. What was so fascinating was that everywhere I turned, like magic, construction works developed into new infrastructure in no time.

I now have an appreciation of Chinese music, Chinese cuisine and green tea. I had travel opportunities in some spectacular cities of China. I frequented The Bund or Waitan, Shanghai’s famous Dongfang Mingzhu Dianshita (Oriental Pearl TV tower) along Huangpu river; among the tallest towers in the world. I toured The Great Wall of China in Beijing, Hangzhou’s West Lake and silk industry, Suzhou’s gardens and Buddha temples, Guangzhou’s and Shenzhen’s factories and cosmopolitan Hong Kong.

China is the world’s fastest growing economy, inarguably an outstanding powerhouse. I take great pride in being associated with the second largest economy in the world.  I believe China’s accredited universities are the best place to study World Economics and I am honoured to have studied in such an exemplary country.