Same Same but Different: A Hug Across the Straits to My Malaysian Chinese Fellows

When I first visited this country in 2001, as a child I was amazed by the Patronas Twin Towers, and moreover the kind-hearted Malaysian Chinese; therefore, I was aware from the very beginning that I would adapt to the local culture without huge challenges. The Malaysian Chinese principally come from the Southeastern part of China, renowned for its cuisine and many fascinating traditions, which are the two vital elements that form their identity and have been kept well until now.  

That is also why every one of us from China is surprised to find, after centuries’ time apart, the local young Chinese can still speak various dialects (Hakka, Hokkien, Cantonese and many more) of their ancestors’ hometowns, as well as mandarin fluently. Because our shared culture & tradition are like Malaysian rain drops during rainy season, permeate every one of this country’s Chinese descendants quietly.  

That is all the old generation’s merit. From self-founding to maintain a complete Chinese education system in Malaysia, to the grand celebrations of every Chinese traditional festival… The geographical distance does distant us apart, but culture & values connect us in a borderless way.  

When strive to live a new life in a foreign land in the 19th century, the old generations of Malaysian Chinese did not forget their old China, as once made a fortune, the first thing for them was wiring money home, like we Chinese all do. However, their native land was suffering from wars against the Japanese, their only comforts were reading letters from relatives and friends in the dim light after a day’s hard work and drank a cup of Ipoh white coffee to feel some sweetness during the work break, as could not return home... It is reported that Malaysian Chinese’ donation reached nearly half of China’s war cost when fighting the Japanese fascist; this deed is still deeply appreciated by us, as we see the Chinese resilience in them.  

This sprit is also conveyed in the genealogy they carried with when traveling across the South China Sea to Malaysia, their relentless fights during the second World War, and to the nowadays’ young Malaysian Chinese who are showing their talents in Singapore, Australia, USA and many other places of this planet. I truly admire the Malaysian Chinese as although we are now two different countries’ nations, they inherit and impart the core Chinese value even better than some of modern China citizens; this finding also motivates me to reflect and reshape my own cultural identity in this globalization era.  

Sometimes, I could not help thinking Malaysia is like an artwork of collage with a nation of various ethnics, together with history, friendship, conflicts… when all pieces come together, they form a land of dynamics. However, me, just one of those travellers who is searching for the right spot for myself, like everyone else who is abroad.