Recording the changes

Some Chinese students managed to come back home to meet worried parents and families, but many others, for various reasons, opted to stay overseas, and, despite the challenges, are living full lives, under the circumstances.

Studying graphic design at Italy's Accademia di Belle Arti di Napoli, Luan Xinyu has more than 100,000 followers on micro-blogging platform Sina Weibo, where his photography skills are much admired. Since going to Italy in 2018, he has been posting vlogs that vividly capture the stunning scenic beauty of Naples.

As the virus broke out and Italy went into lockdown, Luan's videos faithfully recorded how the city gradually lost its boisterous jollity and fell into silence.

His posts highlight an uneasy undertow. For instance, on one occasion, when people saw Luan and his friend, they pinched their noses and quickly ran past.

Just when he started thinking the virus was no longer spreading in Italy, on Feb 21, he read that 18 new cases were confirmed in the country, and the number began to escalate alarmingly.

He says that at that time, one of the problems faced by Chinese students was whether to wear masks on the streets. As much as they wanted to protect themselves, they were also concerned about causing more fear among the locals.

The option of going home also crossed his mind, but like most Chinese students around him, he chose to stay. "I think it's safer if I stay here and avoid going out," Luan says.

As the pandemic spread, what was supposed to be a matter of choice has turned into an ongoing public debate on Chinese social media, in which a lot of people object to students returning to the country.

"I felt quite upset reading this, because China is after all our country, our home, but then I thought, there's no point arguing with them. Nobody would ever intentionally bring the virus back home. We'll protect ourselves all the same," Luan says.

His lockdown vlogs, so far 15, registered the transformation in the locals' attitudes toward the virus.

On March 5, when a total of nearly 4,000 cases were confirmed in Italy and Naples had 17 cases, the city was bustling as usual and Chinese students were the only ones wearing masks. Only after March 10, when the lockdown measures were enforced throughout Italy, did more people wear masks on the street.

"The mindset of the locals changed quite fast. As soon as the lockdown was announced, a lot of them started wearing masks," Luan says. "They are also quite optimistic, singing and playing instruments on the balconies."

The guideline measures became strict rules. At first, pedestrians needed to carry a personal information form. Later, only those doing grocery shopping or walking their dogs were allowed out.

Luan is only one example of many Chinese students in Italy. In a recent video call with China Central Television, the Chinese ambassador to Italy, Li Junhua, says that there are 26,000 Chinese students now studying in Italy.

On March 26, dozens of Chinese students and bloggers living in Italy, including Luan, together filmed a video, assuring those back home that they are doing fine and expressing their belief that, by fighting together, Italy will get through this difficult time soon.