Discover the Soul of Fujian in China Journal Spring 2025

In China Journal Spring 2025 – From Putian to Xiamen: A Memoir of Connection and Contrast, readers are invited on an intimate journey through one of China’s most dynamic regions. This evocative travel memoir blends personal narrative with rich cultural insights, offering a rare glimpse into the heart of Fujian Province.

A Tale of Two Cities

From the ancestral temples and slow-paced rhythms of Putian to the vibrant, fast-evolving streets of Xiamen, the author paints a striking portrait of a land where tradition and modernity coexist. Through vivid storytelling, the book explores:

• Authentic Encounters – Heartwarming interactions with locals, from tea farmers to urban entrepreneurs.
• Cultural Contrasts – The tension and harmony between old-world customs and rapid development.
• Sensory Adventures – The tastes, sounds, and textures of Fujian, from Putian’s home-style dishes to Xiamen’s seafood markets.

Why You’ll Love This Book

• For Travel Enthusiasts – A deep dive into off-the-beaten-path China, beyond the usual tourist spots.
• For Memoir Readers – A reflective, personal journey that resonates with universal themes of belonging and change.
• For Sinophiles – Fresh perspectives on contemporary Chinese life, culture, and regional identity.

Perfect For Fans Of:

• Peter Hessler’s River Town
• Rob Gifford’s China Road
• Personal travelogues with cultural depth

Get Your Copy Today and experience Fujian through the eyes of a keen observer—where every page reveals a new layer of connection and contrast.

 Available now on Amazon Kindle  Read the Book Here

The post China Journal Spring 2025 – From Putian to Xiamen: A Memoir of Connection and Contrast appeared first on British Panda.

The Journey Begins: Entering China During Zero-COVID

Defying the odds, Clive made it into China in 2021 when the country was virtually closed to the world. With no direct flights, mandatory COVID tests, and a gruelling quarantine, his arrival was just the beginning of a rollercoaster ride.

• Endless Tests and Health Codes: Weekly COVID tests and the infamous health code system became a part of daily life.
• Lockdowns and Isolation: A single positive case could trigger a lockdown, leaving Clive stranded on an island with no way out.

The Zero-COVID Madness

As the months rolled on, the Zero-COVID policies took their toll. Clive found himself trapped in a hotel, cut off from the world, as his patience wore thin. The constant uncertainty and restrictions tested his resolve, but he persevered.

The End of Zero-COVID and a New Challenge
When Zero-COVID finally ended in late 2023, the virus swept through China like wildfire. Streets emptied, and Clive caught COVID for the first time, leaving him bed-bound over Christmas.

• Juggling Illness and Responsibilities: Despite being unwell, Clive had to manage a mountain of exam prep, adding to his exhaustion.
• Family Troubles Back Home: With family issues in the UK weighing on his mind, Clive made the difficult decision to leave China.

A Bittersweet Farewell

Clive’s time in China was a saga of bureaucratic hurdles, cultural quirks, and unforgettable friendships. As he boarded a one-way flight out of the country, he knew this wasn’t just the end—it was the closing of a chapter that had tested, taught, and transformed his life.

Why You Should Read Clive’s Story

Clive’s journey is more than just a personal account; it’s a window into life in China during a historic period. His story is filled with:

• Cultural Insights: Discover the unique challenges and quirks of living in China.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Learn how Clive navigated one of the world’s strictest COVID regimes.
• Unforgettable Experiences: From lockdowns to friendships, his tale is both heartwarming and eye-opening.

Get the Book

Experience Clive’s incredible journey firsthand. His new Kindle book, Come to China, They Said, is now available on Amazon.

 Read the Book Here

The post Come to China, They Said: A Foreigner’s Journey Through Zero-COVID and Beyond appeared first on British Panda.

1. Understanding Your Visa Options

• Student Visa (Tier 4): For those enrolled in a UK university or educational institution.
• Standard Visitor Visa: Perfect for tourists or those visiting friends and family.

2. Steps to Apply

1. Check Eligibility: Visit the UK government’s official website to confirm which visa you need.
2. Prepare Your Documents: Ensure you have all the required paperwork ready (see below).
3. Submit Your Application Online: Follow the step-by-step instructions provided.
4. Attend a Biometric Appointment: Provide your fingerprints and photographs at a visa application centre.
5. Wait for Approval: Processing times vary, so apply as early as possible.

3. Required Documentation

• Student Visa:
  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university.
  • Proof of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS results).
  • Financial evidence to show you can cover tuition and living costs.
  • Passport and recent photos.
• Tourist Visa:
  • Travel itinerary, including flight and accommodation details.
  • Proof of financial support (bank statements).
  • Passport and recent photos.

4. Common Challenges

• Incomplete Documentation: Double-check your paperwork to avoid delays.
• Language Barriers: Misunderstanding application instructions can lead to errors.
• Tight Deadlines: Start your application early to allow time for corrections if needed.

By planning carefully and seeking help when necessary, you can successfully secure your visa.

For more detailed guides, tips, and support, subscribe to British Panda! We provide valuable advice tailored to Chinese students and tourists visiting the UK. Don’t miss out—sign up today to make your UK journey stress-free!

英国签证申请指南：赴英中国访客需要了解的信息

计划去英国留学或旅行？办理签证可能看起来复杂，但只要准备充分，这其实是一个相对简单的过程。以下是帮助您开始的快速指南！

1. 了解签证类型

• 学生签证（Tier 4）： 适用于已被英国大学或教育机构录取的学生。
• 标准访问签证： 适用于游客或探亲访友者。

2. 申请步骤

1. 确认资格： 访问英国政府官网，确认您需要申请哪种签证。
2. 准备材料： 确保您准备好所有所需文件（见下文）。
3. 在线提交申请： 按照官网提供的逐步说明完成在线申请。
4. 参加生物信息采集： 在签证申请中心提交指纹和照片。
5. 等待批准： 审核时间各不相同，因此请尽早申请。

3. 所需材料

• 学生签证：
  • 您所在大学出具的学习录取确认书（CAS）。
  • 英语水平证明（如雅思成绩）。
  • 财力证明，显示您有能力支付学费和生活费。
  • 护照和近期照片。
• 旅游签证：
  • 旅行计划，包括航班和住宿信息。
  • 财力证明（银行对账单）。
  • 护照和近期照片。

4. 常见挑战

• 材料不完整： 仔细检查文件，确保无遗漏，避免延误。
• 语言障碍： 误解申请说明可能导致错误。
• 时间紧迫： 尽早开始申请，为可能的修改留出时间。

通过细致规划并在必要时寻求帮助，您可以顺利拿到签证。

更多详细指南、贴士和支持，请订阅 British Panda！我们提供针对中国学生和游客赴英的宝贵建议。不要错过，立即订阅，让您的英国之旅更加顺畅无忧！

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• Effective January 8, 2023, there is no longer a requirement for quarantine for international arrivals entering the PRC
• Health codes are no longer required
• Lockdowns are no longer actioned
• Masks are required on public transport. They are not always required in shopping malls, but courtesy suggests that you go prepared

The post COVID-19 Measures 2023 appeared first on British Panda.

To receive a test, one simply joins a queue. A first window will scan the QR code of the Wenzhou health code mini program. This conveys one’s identity. The person scanning asks for your age, to ensure they have the correct person.  The queue then reaches a second window where you are administered with a mouth swab PCR test.

Shortly, both the Wenzhou health code WeChat mini program and the AliPay health code both show the time of your last test, then the results.

The post Stricter COVID Measures – Wenzhou China appeared first on British Panda.

In July 2021, I finally flew from London Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest airports, of course, leaving a country that had seemingly moved on from COVID restrictions. This article doesn’t consider the author’s opinions on COVID and COVID restrictions, it purely conveys a first-hand experience of both the UK and China, back-to-back.

Organising my flight to China was my introductory lesson into the workings of China’s zero-COVID policy. As virus variants emerged, China restricted flights from their hotspots and origins, with the UK falling under this remit as the Delta variant swept around the world. Direct flights were, therefore, unavailable, and one of the only routes into China for Travellers originating from the UK was from London Heathrow to Frankfurt, then to Nanjing.

Two days before flying, though, all travellers must have both a nucleic acid test and an IgM blood test at a Chinese government-approved testing organisation. Negative test data must then be shared with the Chinese government via a website, which then issues a green health code, valid for just 48 hours, that must be produced in order to be allowed to fly. Then, once again in Frankfurt, the same test, results and health code procedures must be undertaken for travellers to be allowed onwards to China.

On landing in China, the very first thing travellers are asked to do is to have a nucleic acid test administered, and then they are ushered onto coaches and taken to a pre-determined quarantine hotel where they must stay for 14-days before quarantining again under the supervision and testing of their local community.

What Zero COVID means

Day-to-day life in China leaves no room for COVID, and the local government reacts very rapidly to any reported cases. Cases are picked up on quickly, as testing is widespread. Staff members at medical facilities are widely tested twice weekly, and government and education staff receive regular tests.

Test data is fed through WeChat, China’s main social media app, and the app features a health code mini program, namely “Wenzhou (or relevant city name) Epidemic Prevention Code” (see right) that demonstrates the user’s health, and therefore, their freedom to access any place, from a university campus to a shop, a hotel to a restaurant. This health feature also conveys the user’s test time and results, their vaccination status, as well as an itinerary of where they have recently travelled. A current, local update is required to acquire a green health code certificate, allowing the holder into any restaurant, cafe, shopping centre and so forth.

As was the case in the spring of 2022, cases were on the rise in Shanghai. Despite the importance of Shanghai to China’s economy, the city of 26m people was put under strict lockdown for circa 2 months. Similar lockdowns threaten any city with ongoing positive COVID-19 cases.

Experience in Wenzhou

A tier 2 city, throughout the spring of 2022, Wenzhou periodically reported low numbers of COVID cases. In response, public events were cancelled. There were periods when classes at universities were rescheduled, and university campuses were cordoned-off for weeks and months at a time.

As part of my contract with a local university, as of June 2022, I am required every day to message my boss through WeChat, stating that I have not left the city.

Every Monday and Friday, I must take a screengrab of my travel itinerary (see left). This is part of the AliPay payment app which states where and when one has travelled. It also conveys your latest COVID-19 test status.

Also, every Tuesday, I must have a free-of-charge COVID-19 test at a testing station within the local university campus. To do so, I show them the screen of my “Wenzhou Epidemic Prevention Code” WeChat mini-program (top right). This is the aforementioned mini-program that enables one to board transport and enter eating, social, and retail establishments. The testing team scans the QR code on the screen, which identifies me, and then I receive my test.  My test results, and COVID status show within my apps shortly after.

The post China’s Zero-COVID Policy: First-Hand Experience 2022 appeared first on British Panda.

South China Morning Post reports similar shifts in applications to UK universities, but weighting reasons for this on UK higher education benefitting from tensions between US and China.  It also asserts that the number of students from mainland China studying in UK education has more than doubled in the last decade.

Another mainland Chinese publication, Global Times, echoes the link to US-Chinese relations and that the shift is caused by visa restrictions from the US on Chinese students and also the UK’s attempts to maintain normal cultural exchanges. Global Times goes on to quote figures from the Chinese Embassy in the UK that around 216,000 Chinese students are now studying in the UK, whilst Universities UK has that figure at circa 140,000.  Either way, both figures are high and all news outlets point toward unwavering confidence in the English language and the UK’s education system.

The post Record Number of Chinese Students in the UK – Brexit or US-China Tensions? appeared first on British Panda.

My first inklings that China’s relationship with COVID is different to the UK’s came through the rigorous testing required pre-flight, during transit and on arrival. Two days prior to departing, both PCR and intravenous IgM antibody tests must be completed at a designated provider in the UK. Results must be input into a Chinese government website, which issues a Health Declaration Certificate. Valid for circa 50 hours from issue, this must be presented to board one’s flight. At the time of writing, there are no direct flights from the UK to China, and one transit is permitted. However, this must be timed to allow another pair of COVID tests, receipt of their results and the application and provision of a second Health Declaration Certificate (HDC). All whilst in transit!

Once aboard a China-bound flight, masks must be work throughout the duration, which for 11 hours is not preferable.  On landing in China, hazmat suit-clad officials usher one’s flight contingent towards a PCR testing area. Before testing, there’s time to show your Health Certificate. But no, this is not the same as the aforementioned HDC. This is a separate declaration of health especially for Chinese customs that needs applying for prior to departure.

Once tested, like the finalé of all flight experiences, you collect your luggage, but then, join a short cue to board the next bus that will ferry you to a quarantine hotel. Perhaps in larger cities, there may be a choice of hotel, but in Nanjing on 11.07.21, members of my flight were sent to a quite pleasant chain hotel, not far from the airport.  The rooms were spacious, modern and clean. Three meals a day were left outside one’s room, with a knock on the door signalling their arrival. The staff invite you to one WeChat group and the medical staff invite you to another. Add your room number before your name and enjoy the chats. Well, all but a message that came through after lunch on the second day: “Someone sitting close to you on flight LH*** tested positive for COVID. You must move to another hotel. Please pack and after dinner, we will bring you protective clothing”.

Hazmat suit, hair net, foot coverings, gloves, face mask, hood up, visor. And we’re ready to brave 38 degrees heat in a packed minibus, journey-bound to our new hotel. Fingers crossed it’s as pleasant as the first one. Ah. It isn’t. It’s a little tired, very warm and once assigned my room, off I hauled my luggage, dripping sweat. A heavy smoker had been a resident before me. This will be fine, I told myself. A small room, closed windows, magnolia decor. But at least it had air-con and fast internet.

Twice daily I’d hear an urgent knock at my door, usually circa 7:00 am and then 2 pm. A short, pleasant natured, hazmat-suited doctor would point her thermometer at my forehead and then dash to the next room. Twice weekly, she’d administer a throat and nose PCR test. A result certificate would be posted to my group’s medical WeChat group. Towards the second week, PCR tests were ramped up to daily, we were bussed to a hospital to each have a CT scan, and the same day we were PCR and IgM intravenous tested. Surely, we must be the most COVID-free group of people on the planet?

All results were shared with our WeChat medical group and we were instructed to apply for our green travel certificate. The doctor visited my room with a stamped certificate confirming I’d undertaken quarantine.  I signed it and was given two copies.  A mini-app within Alipay linked my passport number to my entry date and would only go green after 14 days of quarantine.  No green certificate, no travel! Thankfully, on awakening on my day of freedom, my certificate was green.  This, together with my signed, stamped quarantine certificate and my PCR and IgM test results, plus a pre-booked train ticket to Wenzhou was literally my way out of quarantine and the keys to my freedom.

My travel information was to be submitted to our house doctor via WeChat. The ticket number, times and seat number were sent ahead to the railway station and to my destination province i.e. Zhejiang. A bus took all of us to our various stations. When we reached my station, the driver called ahead and a station staff member greeted me, checked my COVID test certificates, quarantine certificates, passport and ticket number and steered me towards a special quarantine seating area. As I walked towards the area, a hazmat-clad man continually fumigated the space I’d just passed through. A little shocking at first and certainly a spectacle. As soon as I sat within the special area, he continued to follow anyone coming in and out of our area, fumigating after them.

With military precision, the small team managing us and our area would in a timely fashion collect people for trains, walk them through security gates and see that they embark on the correct trains in their allocated seats.

After a six-hour journey, I picked up that a member of the train staff was fussing concerning me.  She looked at me and away rapidly, shuffled some official-looking papers and disembarked the train.  As I too alighted, there she was, handing said papers to a young gentleman in a t-shirt emblazoned with the text ‘Police’.  A friendly chap, he escorted me and a Chinese fellow-traveller who has also passed through Frankfurt at the same time as me and escorted us through crowds to the front of Wenzhou South station.  We were led into an enclosure and asked if our community had arranged to collect us.  A quick phone call to my boss and she explained that, because I’d travelled from a high-risk province, I needed to stay for one week in a quarantine hotel.  A driver was sent to collect me.

Thankfully, this hotel was not as full-on ‘isolation’-feeling.  After a painful, very deep PCR test and a few questions regarding my route into China and I was provided with some complimentary snacks. The room was modern and spacious, but a large sign taped to the door stated (words to the effect of): “Solemn Reminder: The medical observation period. If you go out, once found, will be heavy – We will calculate a new medical observation period. We are using a camera to monitor in real-time.”  Again, this quarantine hotel involved twice-daily temperature-taking and twice-weekly PCR testing.

And finally, having been collected by a driver from my community i.e. sent from my employer, I was allowed to move into my apartment for a week of isolation.

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