From “Hello” to Business Partners: Learning Chinese at Hongqiao

Three years ago, Brazilian businessman Carlos knew only two Chinese phrases: “hello” and “too expensive.” Today, he can bargain and chat about everyday life in Chinese with his merchant friends at Hongqiao, and even understand a little Beijing humor. His secret is not textbooks, but spending time in the market every day. In the morning, he learns numbers and colors from stallholders; at lunch, he learns dish names in restaurants; and in the afternoon, he attends cultural activities at Hongqiao Living Hall. The bilingual event posters produced by the content and media team have become his “living textbook.” Language built trust, and trust brought business. Carlos’s purchases have grown year after year, and he has opened a cross-border accessories store with a friend. He says Hongqiao has taught him not only Chinese, but also a way to live, work, and make friends in Beijing.