Francis George Woodcock poses for a photo at the Great Wall on April 17, 2023, in Beijing during the 7th China-Africa Youth Festival. [Photo courtesy of Francis George Woodcock] 

"For me, China and Chinese culture are so mysterious and enticing that I felt compelled to come to China and explore it myself," said Francis George Woodcock from Seychelles, speaking in fluent Chinese during the 7th China-Africa Youth Festival. 

This 28-year-old man from the African island nation has always been captivated by Chinese culture and arts, such as martial arts. He is a huge fan of the late kung fu star Bruce Lee. He visited Hong Kong and Macao in 2015 and Beijing in 2016 for sightseeing. These experiences further fueled his determination to embark on a long journey of exploration in China. 

To prepare for his travels, Woodcock began learning Chinese at the local Confucius Institute in Seychelles. In 2017, he continued his studies at Beijing International Studies University through a scholarship program. That same year, he was admitted to Dalian University in Dalian, the capital of northeast China's Liaoning province. 

"I majored in economics at Dalian University, but I also learned about China's political system and long history," said Woodcock. "Even when I returned to Seychelles and had online classes during the pandemic, I didn't give up." Woodcock graduated last year and now works as a market analyst at Seychelles Trading Company. 

"During my four-year study in China, I not only gained knowledge but also met people from all over China and made many friends. By talking with them, new ideas emerged in my mind," he recalled. 

Woodcock was excited to return to China and participate in the 7th China-Africa Youth Festival, held from April 16 to 23, with the first stop in Beijing and the second in east China's Shandong province. He also encouraged his friends in Seychelles to study in China.

He believes that Africa, as a developing continent, has much to learn from China, the world's largest developing country that has achieved greater development than African nations. He points to China's commitment to development, success in eradicating absolute poverty, and efforts to revitalize rural areas. 

"The Chinese people are diligent and united in solving problems in a targeted manner," Woodcock said. "Africa should also unite to solve our own problems and take our development to a higher level."