STORY: African acrobats pursue dreams in China
DATELINE: Aug. 23, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:04
LOCATION: HENGSHUI, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of African acrobats preforming acrobatics
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): FUNDI SAIDI MOHAMED, African acrobat
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ATHUMAN KEVIN HILLARY MAJALIWA, African acrobat
4. various of African acrobats learning Chinese culture

STORYLINE:

Four African acrobats from Tanzania have been captivating audiences with their incredible acrobatic performances at Hengshui Wildlife Park in north China's Hebei Province. 

These talented performers have been living and working in China since 2020, and they have grown to love their life in the country. 

They enthusiastically embrace various aspects of Chinese culture, such as making dumplings, learning calligraphy, dancing, and exercising with their Chinese colleagues and friends. 

During traditional Chinese festivals, they have been warmly welcomed into the homes of local families, creating happy memories for them to share with their loved ones through video chats.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): FUNDI SAIDI MOHAMED, African acrobat
"My feeling of living in China is good. I feel good because I first lived here, people are so friendly, so humanity. When you have a problem, people can help you. So, we can help each other that live here, so it is an easy and simple life."

The teacher of these four African acrobats once studied in China. Now they are working and living in China, becoming a living testimony of the cultural exchange between China and Africa. They are fascinated by the rich history and culture of China, and visiting the famous landmarks and historical relics in China is one of their dreams.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ATHUMAN KEVIN HILLARY MAJALIWA, African acrobat
"I want to go to the Great Wall because the Great Wall is famous in China. If you come to China, you are going to the Great Wall and maybe take a picture, and everyone can know you are in China. I'd like one day to go."

Now their biggest wish is to keep innovating in their performance and present better shows to the Chinese audience. At the same time, they also hope to take this opportunity to learn and understand more about the traditional Chinese culture and convey China-Africa friendship.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hengshui, China.
(XHTV)