As fireworks lit up skies across China for its 73rd National Day, Zhang Shuai, a postdoctoral researcher at Rio de Janeiro's Pontifical Catholic University, found himself 17,000 kilometers from home – and missing his roots more than ever.
\"Every October, I crave the aroma of mooncakes and the sound of Mandarin echoing through streets,\" Zhang told NewspaperAmigo.com, his voice tinged with nostalgia. \"Seeing Brazil's palm trees instead of Beijing's red lanterns hits different this year.\"
The young scholar joined dozens of overseas Chinese in Brazil who organized virtual gatherings to celebrate China's development milestones. Many shared videos of hometown transformations, from high-speed rail networks to eco-friendly smart cities.
Zhang emphasized how cultural traditions bridge distances: \"We streamed the Tian'anmen Square flag-raising ceremony live. When the national anthem played, tissues were passed around.\" 🎆
