Interlace—Getting Closer to the UK

Author: Ma Shuming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-29
Features: Flipping through the pages of history, looking back at the joys and sorrows of our journey toward the world since modern times, you will find that despite many powerful figures racing to "make a mark" on our land, none has a deeper and longer "China connection" than Britain. Every page of our joys and sorrows reflects its shadow. Interweaving, it is the natural temporal and spatial state of black and white that you inevitably experience when approaching Britain; it is also the unique reflection in your psychology, emotions, and thoughts. When two worlds with stark contrasts and two civilizations suddenly meet before your eyes, what kind of feeling would that be? "Approaching Britain" was the feeling I had the moment I set foot on British soil, and it is also a clear sense of responsibility I feel when standing before my students. From the time the British broke through geographical, cultural, and political barriers to come to China, to now when we fly to Britain by plane to directly experience this tiny country that has left indelible marks on our hearts and minds, how long and profound has the historical and psychological tunnel been between then and now! When I began to organize these feelings, I paid special attention to choosing the word "near" as the intersection point of the purpose and content of my writing this book. Approaching Britain, observing Britain, and examining Britain closely fill the conceptual and symbolic Britain in our minds with blood, flesh, and bones. At the same time, this "near" also contains my self-reflection on my "narrow-mindedness." Due to time, knowledge, and ability constraints, I feel ashamed that my level of observation and examination conflicts with my good intentions. "I cannot see everything, so I might make mistakes; but everything I introduce is what I have seen with my own eyes." This was the honest self-confession of Macartney, who spent several months on Chinese soil over two hundred years ago, diligently recording China with his eyes, and it is also my sincere declaration to my readers. Seeing with one's own eyes and experiencing firsthand—this is the value of "Approaching Britain," and perhaps a bit of my confidence and pride as well!