Living the Chinese dream

For years the Chinese city of Yiwu has welcomed business-savvy Syrians, Yemenis, Libyans and Iraqis. Although China does not have laws recognising refugees, it has granted visas to migrants who want to set up businesses or pursue higher education in the country.
This film by the Thomson Reuters Foundation tells the stories of three people. Ammar Albaadani first came to China from Yemen 19 years ago as a student on a state scholarship. When fighting in his country escalated three years ago, he decided to settle in Yiwu. Manar Abdulhussein, 38, left behind bombings and attacks in the Iraqi capital Baghdad five years ago and moved her family business to Yiwu with her husband and sons. Mike, a 24-year-old actor from Syria, who goes by his professional name, is a newcomer to the city. Mike, whose student visa expires soon, plans to apply for a business visa, and hopes to achieve permanent residency one day.
Yet that is difficult to achieve under China's immigration rules which are among the strictest in the world for foreigners seeking permanent residency. As a result, many of the city's migrants are worried about how long they will be able to stay in what has become their second home.
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We make short documentaries, explainers and original series for people who care about the world’s biggest challenges. Context is anchored around three of the most significant and interdependent issues of our time: climate change, the impact of technology on society and inclusive economies. We contextualize how critical issues and events affect ordinary people, society and the environment.
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[@befriendmywater142]

Poor people. Wish you have a happy life in China, and wish your relatives and friends safe in your home countries.

[@Xiang8995210]

I love those guys, they are so positive, hope they have a wonderful life in china, and have their family reunion soon

[@ZhangK71]

That last guy must have a natural gift for learning languages. And no, he wasn't born in China or grew up there since he was very little; I am Chinese and I can hear his accent is still there. However, his grasp of the language -- not just more advanced vocabulary, but the right idioms in the right contexts -- is really, really impressive.

[@sallycong]

Honestly his Chinese is really good...

[@sachintendulkar1094]

Very touching documentary. I hope these people have a prosperous and good life in China

[@liang8255]

This is amazing. You know I live in Belgium, there are muslims everywhere. The difference is: the muslims in China stay with a legal visa, no social benefits/free housing anything, they do business to make money as their purpose to go to China. They are fully integrated, speak perfect Chinese and wants to speak Chinese, not only eating but making dumplings, they are Chineselised. Why this doesn't work in Europe?? Last week was in Brussels, they all speak their language, eating their food, their robes, even burka. They don't give a fuck about European law, they don't give a fuck about European culture, many of them rather want to provoke. Many of them living on social benefits, main reason attracting refugees and immigrants. Finally, I understood: it is Europe, European system, policies and situation that attracts bad muslims, not good ones , intellegent ones, ones that wants to make business, money, doesn't want too much restrictions, formalities, taxes, looking for big opportunities and growing market...Europe has none to offer!

[@222222225574]

1.3 billion Chinese people =1300 million , even entire EU is only 500 million people +300 million people in the US=800 million..

[@silentwatcher1455]

liang qiao China is very strict and careful in accepting foreigners. If these foreigners make trouble they will be booted out.

[@brucepathammavong6857]

sometimes it had to do with Chinese cultural that are part of it

[@brucepathammavong6857]

anywhere and countries peoples will want to take justice over rape and murders, you tell me where murder and rape are OK if than is sick place to be for anybody

[@thewanderingrey8830]

I think it has something to do with the strength of the culture in governing. Back in the 1800s when Europe was still a strong cultural superpower, Muslim residents (especially from colonial areas) have always existed in small numbers but they bowed to the (Christian) government that rule over them. Now with Europe being weakened by the New Left and the emergence of politicisation in Islam - in no small part due to oil money and US/Israel support - the "migrant" in Europe behave very differently indeed than they were in the past.

[@trommelbiel]

I think Arabs learn foreign languages very easily. I used to live in Germany and I met many Arabs who spoke fluent German despite having never really studied German. Cool in a formal setting.

[@htin08]

I notice that too. The Arabic language include all sort of different sounds.

[@ZhangK71]

0 9 Probably because all your brain cells came from the third chromosome 21

[@viewer1755]

Its mostly because we have many sounds in our language like the (ch) (sh) (kh) and other which are hard to write in english lol

[@suleimanrouibi3672]

So moving! Arab & chinese brothers!

[@mrshangpa]

Hopefully our government would have new policies to gradually allow more skillful and hardworking people to stay - people who respect our culture and are willing to integrate or at least live in harmony with the locals. We shall embrace talents and diversity..

[@befriendmywater142]

Wow, this guy's Mandarin is amazing! Where and how did he learn it? Welcome and stay safe and happy in China.

[@mauricetamata4265]

May God bless all the Syrian people living in china, china is a great country and safest country in the world and foreign are welcome in china, thanks for the video cheers and hulaluia...

[@chriss7196]

This is great.

[@DadePomsouvan]

I am very impressed of how well these people adapt in China and can speak the language. I am Chinese and I can't even speak a word of Chinese(well, very little) and to hear these people spoke it almost fluently is very impressive. I hope they get to stay and make a good life for themselves and their families in China. They seem like good people who are adapting very well to their new home. These are the good stories about China that you don't hear too often in the Media, thanks for sharing!

[@jfchen100]

Just believe that things in your country will get better! I will pray for you!

[@zihelin7109]

Based on history, all the refugees lived in the normal residential buildings together with local citizens. During 2nd world war, China received the largest population of refugees, they lived with us in Hongkou district, Shanghai. Chinese didn't judge them. they all had regular life. hope everyone worldwide can have peaceful and happy life.

[@i890ola]

I have many Syrian friends, to be honest, they are amazing❤.

[@user-ir1fx6mr5p]

hope they have good time in china

[@appletree9291]

Welcome all the friends to work and live in China. People from middle east are very handsome and beautiful and very clever. Wish you could achieve your dream in China.

[@shanchuanzhao965]

Assimilation is important, regardless your background, hard working people and honest people always welcome, we are hospitable and great culture!

[@insomniasleep630]

China should help Iraq Yemen Syria re-build country... Not like America keep destroy... Hope president Xi will help them

[@JJ-uo9tj]

Where did you get the idea of "should" from? China is an ancient and peaceful civilcivilization, and has been friendly with all countries for thousands of years. So sad to learn about the state of Iraq, Yemen and Syria people, but countries need to be self reliant, China is helping these countries by helping and training individuals who can later help build their own country.

[@xueueux]

War separate people from their home, their families and their life. Stop it lah..until now I don't understand how warmongering live their life..Don't they feel any remorse seeing the aftermath? Don't they have no heart and feeling? the more I think about them, the angrier I become..😤😠😡🤬

[@xiaowang1391]

china welcome to you.As a Chinese,I used to be in Iraq for one year. Iraqi are very friendly .

[@peteip2604]

China is the hardest passport to get, easier to get HK permanent residency, then go to China.

[@weiyang5959]

中国“绿卡”算起来算是国际上难度最高的吧，不过往后会相对来说容易些，会逐渐放开一些限制，欢迎勤劳和平的人来中国。

[@nishuozenmeban]

放过中国吧，中国人已经够多了，我们也不想成为穆斯林。

[@dr.stranger1110]

@@freeAA34672 即使不欢迎移民 你也没有必要骂楼主，回族不是极端穆斯林 谢谢

[@leipen7125]

@@dr.stranger1110 蠢货，宁夏已经瓦哈比化了，就这几年习近平提中国化，才在逐渐扭转宁夏瓦哈比化趋势。胡景涛那十年，宁夏已经成了伊斯兰政治化地区，几乎相当于基层共产党被宗教政府取代

[@janeulo4388]

Take your kids to regular schools to learn from chinese culture

[@aaronarmstrong9001]

可以哦汉语6级

[@samwin1272]

I think the more people will live to china in the future

[@PhoenixDLee]

Chinese nationality is most difficult to get in the world

[@andia968]

It isnhard indeed even for overseas chinese

[@fyjmvggh5409]

These people are the ideal refugees that we accept. They assimilate, love the country. But sadly, most of refugees aren't like them. Hope they live in China happily.

[@liufred491]

7:30 這个国家说的口音和谢帝一样啊

[@candyk2028]

At the very least allow kids born here to be recognise as Chinese Nationals.

[@candyk2028]

newbie KZbinr Well, just because some country don’t have this policy doesn’t China can’t be different and have pity for the child. To him, China is his home.

[@JamieCYW]

How did he get halal food in china

[@moriartychen5867]

it's every where in China, in Shenzhen alone has around 8800+ halal certified restaurants and shops

[@ssl2928]

Buy bitcoin four years ago and now you can apply for a green card : )

[@xiangnibian8473]

I am a Chinese and I feel bad that our government will not give them permanent residencies. I hope it will improve.

[@chinesebastardchildrenofja9405]

Xiangni Bian Your Government is an Atheist ! No Religious People will Like to Live in China. Atheist means ' no God, no Heaven and Hell, no Judgement after death ' am i right ! Only Stupid foreigners will Live in China, wither they are from any Race or any Religion.

[@nishuozenmeban]

还是放过中国吧，移民去欧美更好一些，中国又没在中东做庄。

[@jackzhou4813]

蠢货，这个口子绝对不能开，开了就后患无穷

[@samwin1272]

你以为什么垃圾人到中国都需要收留 都需要发绿卡居留证 都需要特别照顾吗 傻瓜 虽然我不是中国人 但我比你清楚很多东西

[@zhang3229]

我觉得这些阿拉伯人还是不错的，都是地球人，相信哪里的人好人都占大部分。请大家不要戴有色眼镜

[@DucaTech]

Chinese government should provide them permanent residency. These are talented people. Back in Tang dynasty, China flourished because they were able to accept foreigners living in China permanently.

[@silentwatcher1455]

dhg1234 China is selective on who will be accepted. China has more than enough people living in China. Why accept more burden?.

[@calebbian2451]

You should learn some Chinese history. Whenever China declines, Chinese Muslims begin to massacre Han Chinese, all of whom come from the Middle East.

[@richardchen103]

They are good and skilled people. The problem is China has plenty of people who are more qualified than them. China does not rely on immigration for a skilled labor force, but a very competitive environment flooded with qualified local Chinese people.

[@wuwenbuming]

so the Tang dynasty destroy by An Shi Rebellion

[@jackzhou4813]

狗屁，唐朝就是被安禄山搞垮的

[@Beyond_Matter]

That’s his Dream for emperor , not our dream.

[@jiwenguan4604]

妈呀！汉语说的比我都好

[@XdXd-bt1vd]

穆斯林就不要来了

[@user-qt9hb6dp5e]

看起来感人而已。。。 一句话。 哪怕是日本人韩国人申请入籍都可以。 穆斯林 绝对不行！！ 绿卡都不能给。 要工作给工作签证可以！ 长期居住必须有门槛！

[@jokerofMI6]

田野 请继续为父母交配地感到骄傲！

[@ThePointintheheart]

Shalom from Israel!!!

[@jackxie3311]

我算是发现了，是个外国人在中国都能找到女朋友，呵呵。

[@weizhang2834]

Jack Xie 有病就得吃药

[@adwahaha8064]

说话也是够酸 你有本事也可以找个外国女朋友啊

[@brandonw82]

屌丝找不到女友怪外国人

[@dr.stranger1110]

那个外国小哥挺帅的 好吗

[@telustan8173]

算了吧，让去作吧，以后不要理这些在国内跟外国人谈过恋爱的姑娘就行了，真的是爱情还好，就怕是“崇拜”。反正这群姑娘已经作出天际了，无所谓再多一点，只要不是全部这样就好。

[@gilbert8156]

到底中国女人有多么CHEAP啊，脸都不要了。

[@petshow1126]

你如果有这个哥们十分之一帅再出来说话。

[@gilbert8156]

大多数白人阿拉伯人都比东亚人长得帅，所以这就是你们不要脸的理由？

[@cricetus9361]

关键看鸡鸡了，毕竟这不是存天理、灭人欲的旧社会，性欲也是要满足的。"要脸"就是旧社会式的思维，新社会都是打一炮再说。

[@byc6230]

自由恋爱而已，没必要较真

[@gilbert8156]

生一堆混血绿绿？？继续留在中国同化中国人？？自由恋爱背后的故事没这么简单吧。

[@user-ih5fd5jv5t]

Corruption, pollution, food safety issues and serious degeneration of the ecosystem, these are the components of the Chinese dream.

[@MM-zp4dz]

Food safety issues are even worse in US but the media are forbidden to write or reveal these issues.

[@user-ih5fd5jv5t]

M&M We are talking about China here.

[@ThePointintheheart]

Shalom from Israel!