I am a Chinese-Brazilian translator by trade and by passion. Half of my 20-year career was spent in Beijing where I was employed by Xinhua News Agency as a native Brazilian translator-cum-editor. When reflecting on my 45-year life story, I find that chapters filled with the fondest memories were written in Beijing. 

Later I was transferred to Xinhua’s Rio de Janeiro office, because my parents got ill when I was about to obtain my 11th work visa in China. This humanitarian arrangement makes me the first Brazilian who stays within Xinhua News Agency for the longest time. I hurried to obtain a humanitarian visa, since expiration date on the original one fell on the same day my return flight was cancelled. 

You may notice that the word “humanitarian” was mentioned twice in my short account of life in China. For me it is the fitting word that occurred to my mind when I was invited to translate and revise Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights. The word aptly describes my working and living experience in China as a foreigner whose rights had been respected for 10 years from start to finish. (From the very beginning in 2013, I was moved by Chinese thoughtfulness right away upon arrival in Beijing airport where a colleague picked me up. Ten years later when I was leaving, do you know who saw me off? My landlord, who virtually became my adopted father in China during the 10-year rental period.) 

Let me start from personal security, a human right that is fully guaranteed by the Chinese government. This fact is summarized by President Xi Jinping in his speech at a Party history awareness program on February 20, 2021. “China is recognized as one of the countries whose people enjoy a strong sense of security.” This sense is palpable anytime you walk down a street in a Chinese city. I have been to more than 100 countries as a solo traveler, but no country other than China gives me this sense. What is a blessing these days to walk around with no fear of assault! President Xi’s remark on the sense of security can be validated by anyone who has visited China.   

Religion in China is another issue about which I have first-hand knowledge, since I am a devout Catholic. Here I would like to quote from President Xi’s talk with then President Obama in 2016. “China has attached great importance to protecting and promoting human rights, and to safeguarding citizens’ freedom of religion.” My personal experience proves that this freedom is not only entitled to Chinese citizens, but also to all foreigners living in China. During my 10-year life in Beijing, I went to the Catholic church every Sunday. Every time my mother visited me, we would go there together, because she enjoyed Latin classes offered by the church. Such classes are not available in Brazil, which boasts the largest number of Catholic believers in the world. I noticed that most of Mass observers were Chinese. Religious gifts sold at the church shop were as authentic as those in Brazil and other Catholic countries, with no trace of forced adaptation. Another memorable detail: The church is next to my workplace. 

“China has acted by the spirit of the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” This quotation is from a speech delivered by President Xi Jinping on October 25, 2021, at the conference marking the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China. Two years later, a piece of news speaks volumes about China’s commitment to human rights. On October 10, 2023, China secured its sixth term as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, making it one of the most frequently elected countries. Previous records show that China has been granted the membership from 2006-2012 (re-elected in 2009), 2014-2016, 2017-2019 and 2021-2023. 

With regard to global warming which attracts worldwide attention, you can expect that environmental protection is delved into in President Xi’s book. Here I would like to quote his remark on December 21, 2016. “What issues concern people the most? They want to know that their food is safe and that the heating is on, that air pollution can be reduced and that lakes and rivers will be cleaned up, that waste incineration isn’t going to harm their health, that elderly services will meet their needs, and that they will be able to afford the rent or buy their own home.” When I first arrived in Beijing, it took me only two days to rent an apartment on my own. My following 10-year rental experience is completely hassle-free, enabled by tenant-friendly contract and procedure. This kind of convenience cannot be taken for granted in other metropolises around the world. To begin with, they do not allow foreigners to rent a house. Even for locals, the procedures can be anxiety inducers. When I planned to rent an apartment in Beijing Central Business District (CBD), I did not go through administrative hassle. What I was asked was to pay two-month rents in advance, instead of four-month ones, because I could not afford them at that time. In this way, I rented a furnished apartment in Beijing’s prime location. The same rent will only land you in a tiny unfurnished room in Europe. Do you want to know how I got in touch with the landlord? I just sent him an E-mail provided in an online ad. The reason why I did not contact him through social media was the inaccessible mobile internet at that time. Another detail: This is the very landlord who helped me lug five trunks around, and saw me off at the airport, as I mentioned above. Now I would like to say a few words about air pollution. Ten years during my stay witnessed marked drop in the level of PM2.5. This figure gives a glimpse at how China promotes people’s rights to survival and development. 

Since I grow up in a developing country, I have intimate knowledge about human rights practices in these economies. As said before, I came back to Brazil after working in China for 10 years. Given the flight cancellation, I had a one-month sojourn in an African capital. On my way to hotel, I saw child beggars, an unmistakable sign of grinding poverty. Every time the car stopped at the traffic sign, a throng of children closed in, and pointing to mouth, gestured for food. I was really stung by that sight. At the same time, it struck me that I should not have forgotten that this is a common occurrence in Brazil, my home country. My forgetfulness was caused by physical distance from it for five years. During my 10-year work in Beijing, I travelled around China, but I had never seen a beggar. The African encounter with child beggary and my life back in Brazil give me a deeper understanding of how far China has gone in eliminating poverty. During the unexpected stay in that African country, I visited its inland regions whose residents had access to two-hour power supply each day. It was both hilarious and inspirational that even with face mask and sunglasses, I was often mistaken as a Chinese working for one of the many projects launched by Chinese companies in Africa. 

These personal anecdotes provide me with a deeper insight into President Xi’s speeches on poverty reduction and the sharing of the benefits of development. His general view on developing China is equally insightful. My African experience gives me an opportunity to appreciate the significance in President Xi’s speech on February 25, 2021. “The fight against poverty has yielded abundant results both in the material sense and in terms of mindset. Those who have been lifted out of poverty have been invigorated with the drive to keep pushing forward.” 

During my stay in China, I also had been invigorated by regular workout. President Xi’s remark on sport in 2016 reminds me of my after-work life in China. “Sport has an extremely important role in improving people’s health and physical wellbeing, promoting their well-rounded development, enriching their intellectual and cultural lives, and encouraging them to break through their limitations and pursue excellence.” It is hard for people who have never visited China to imagine how Chinese frequent fitness gyms. They are everywhere, and crowded with members. Apart from structured class, there is a program on an as-needed basis. No class, no payment. Gyms in Beijing were the first to offer such services which I found most agreeable with my schedule. One gym had four outlets, the other only one. Both brands offered group class at 10 pm every Friday, which was an instant sold-out. The popularity can be attributed to their right strategy for satisfying people’s emotional need, that is, building meaningful connections. After each class, we would have a group photo. This is vivid manifestation of President Xi’s well-rounded development. Today, both gyms have branched out into a dozen outlets. Guy, one of their British instructors, became my best friend. We get in touch every day. China is what makes our strong bond possible. 

To conclude this essay, I would like to quote from President Xi’s speech at a meeting to celebrate the May 1st International Labor Day and honor model workers and exemplary individuals. “We must protect the basis rights and interests of employees in accordance with the law, improve the labor relations coordination mechanism, and promptly and properly address problems and conflicts in labor relations.” During my 10-year career in China, I had never had a salary delay. I got paid on the 28th day of every month. If I worked overtime the previous day, I was entitled to rest next day. I had my visa and work permit renewed every year. The reason why I choose to stay is that I respect my own right to make choices. When I returned to Brazil, I received my social security tax refund since I am a foreigner and will not retire in China. It is another tangible proof that the Chinese government has honored its promise to protect employees’ rights and interests. 

Diogo Teixeira, Brazilian sinologist, translator, and chief translator-reviser