Family atmosphere

Pakistani student Muhammad Sultan Irshad, 27, who is studying in Wuhan, said, "China is the country that offers me the best education, secures my safety, and protects me just like my motherland. Above all, it provides a family-like environment.

"The world has witnessed the efforts of the Chinese nation in creating history by managing and controlling this outbreak in the face of an unprecedented challenge."

Irshad arrived in China in September 2019 to study for a doctorate in materials science and engineering at Hubei University.

He has not returned to his homeland since the pandemic emerged. He said his dormitory is "equipped with all the requisite necessities", which arrive promptly.

Irshad added that he has become "more responsible, caring and kind" since the pandemic emerged, after learning to remain positive, help others psychologically and give them moral support in fighting COVID-19. He has also contributed to the battle against the virus by doing voluntary work on campus.

"I have learned some valuable lessons as a responsible human during this special period," he said.

Irshad also said Spring Festival brought smiles to people on the streets of Wuhan, a stark contrast to last year, when all activity was prohibited due to the lockdown.

He said he saw workers busy adorning the streets with bright-red paper lanterns and colorful floral displays. Families reunited and people pasted couplets on the doors of their homes, hoping for good fortune.

"Last year and this year, I received many Spring Festival cards and warm wishes from Chinese friends. I also received red packets from the university. Chinese cherish the hope that the start of the Lunar New Year will bring them joy and success," he said.

On Lunar New Year's Eve, Irshad and fellow students from his homeland dressed in new clothes and went for a special dinner at a well-known Pakistani restaurant in Wuhan.

They dined on dumplings, steamed fish, a special chicken biryani, beef kebabs, fresh salad, pasta and desserts. After the meal, they watched the Spring Festival Gala on China Central Television, a tradition shared by most Chinese families.

"I called my family members to tell them about the traditions of Spring Festival, which is a great shared cultural heritage between Chinese and the rest of the world. The significance of Spring Festival is being felt in other countries," Irshad said.

For the holiday last year, he made dumplings for the first time. Now, he is busy writing research papers on health protection and is also conducting new scientific experiments at his office, which reopened in June after closing on Jan 23.

However, his compatriots who decided to go home to Pakistan are now in a bind, especially doctoral research students, as they cannot return to China at present due to travel restrictions.

In the coming years, Irshad plans to find a job in China and further explore the country's culture and beauty by traveling and writing about it.

He also wants to share stories of Chinese soldiers, doctors, the government and the strong bonds between China and Pakistan.

An article he wrote is included in the book Witness China's Combating COVID-19.

"The Chinese nation has shown a tremendous sense of responsibility. In the Year of the Ox, I can sense the pain of those who have lost loved ones. Wuhan, in particular, faced a crucial challenge, and the city's people have inspired the rest of the world," he said.