Indian reporter lectures on country's achievements

Shamim Zakaria, an Indian reporter who has been working in China for five years, shared stories of his China adventure, during which he has gone from knowing nothing about the country to sincerely appreciating its people, culture and political wisdom.

When he first landed at Changsha airport in Hunan province on a drizzly afternoon in March 2017, Zakaria was understandably anxious about his new surroundings. It marked the beginning of his journey in a country he had been told little about in India, and read even less about in the media. "I believe that most expats would agree with me when I say that a bulk of what is reported about China isn't always objective," he said.

His courage didn't fail him. The tremendous warmth, generosity and hospitality of the people he met put him at ease.