“中华人民共和国万岁，世界人民大团结万岁”

That's the words you see if you walk past Tiananmen Square, the same building with the large portrait of Chairman Mao. China just celebrated its 60th anniversary, and I looked at the pictures of the celebrations in envy and admiration.

China has come a long way since the end of dynasties. After licking their World War II wounds, communism came and swept the whole nation, which closed its doors. It wasn't until Deng took reign where China re-open its doors and welcomed the world. Still, it has its own scandals like the Tiananmen Massacre, and the most recent one being the tainted milk saga. Despite all these, China has managed to progress rapidly in the last 30 years, until the likes of Shanghai have become the epitome of a modern city.

It is a complex puzzle of a country, filled with bountiful natural resources and awe-inspiring scenery. While people here, in Singapore, have the notion that China is a backward, lousy country, I'm grateful I had the chance to wipe out that preconceived stereotype. Happy 60th, China.

虽然不是中国人，但是中国始终是每一个华人的原点。