Chinese school students hungry for anything 'American'

Beijing

Editor's Note: This is the sixth of a series of reports from Dawn Fotopulos, an associate professor of business at The King's College, New York, about China.

We visited a middle school that is a solid two-hour drive outside a major city. The Chinese students there were so excited that friends from far away were visiting, they greeted us with pomp and celebration that would make the crowning of Queen Elizabeth look like afternoon tea.

Our bus opened its doors to the sound of a 60-piece marching band playing at full volume.

An applauding, several-hundred-person honor guard lined the path to the rotunda where the music and dance demonstrations were to take place. Helium balloons, streamers, and formal red and white banners welcoming, "The Friends from the United States" were everywhere. The rotunda had tables draped with red velvet cloth, cold water (a luxury there), watermelon, and formally printed programs written in both Chinese and English so all could engage.

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The Xi'an Middle School knew how to make a splash.

We could only imagine that real dignitaries from foreign nations have never been greeted like this. We were also keenly aware that our roles had just shifted from professor and students to honored guests and diplomats. We realized that for many of these students, we might well be the only Americans they would ever meet. The impression we left needed to land somewhere memorable and inspirational. I was so proud our American students understood that unspoken message.

The talent display of these Xi'an students was outstanding. First, there was the ancient ballet about star-crossed lovers: China's answer to the story of Romeo and Juliet. This was followed by a demonstration of a traditional Chinese opera aria. My musician friend, Michelle, graciously reminded me the reason the tones are so nasal and high pitched is so the sound would carry. They probably heard it back in Topeka.

American exports

The Xi'an Middle School students performed Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and yes, hip-hop demonstrations. We were astounded. They turned their caps around and gave street gangs in the American inner-city a run for their money. Every acrobatic marvel was flawlessly executed.

When they invited American students to show what they could do, I think they were a little disappointed. Our students are so busy studying free markets, political philosophy, and business, that their hip-hop skills were a little weak. They participated anyway in learning Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and even a few hip-hop moves and were great sports about it.

The Chinese students are hungry for anything American and spend their spare time listening to American music, watching our music videos, and devouring American TV shows, they told us. Their English was surprisingly good. One female student said she watches "Gossip Girl" to learn her English. In another venue, we saw a young student lip-sync Britney Spears' "Toxic." On both occasions, I thoroughly cringed. Of all the things our culture could export to China, was that the best we could manage? But that's where our cultural efforts are being spent – in promoting these "toxic" messages. So, it's no wonder that it made its way across the Pacific.

A calligraphy professor wrote an ancient Chinese blessing on rice paper for us to frame and take back to our college as a wonderful reminder of the Xi'an Middle School's outstanding hospitality.

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Then we took the requisite thousand pictures with all the leaders of the school and the prefecture. By the time it was over, and I half-expected Deng to show up. They wanted a record that the day really did happen and their American guests really did observe the brilliant talent of China's future. The pictures are a great reminder, but the images of this particular day are already forever etched in our minds.

Nick, our blue-eyed, blond-haired resident Mandarin speaker, addressed the crowd in their language. The place went berserk. You'd think Bono landed. He then mentioned that it happened to be my birthday. You haven't lived until a hundred Chinese students sing, "Happy Birthday" to you in Mandarin. And yes, it's to the same tune we all know. A close friend said, "You'll never top that birthday celebration." You're right Marsha: I never will.