By Satine Liu
Satine Liu is a Chinese - New Zealand 20 something who is sharing her experiences with us, after recently moving back to China.
It’s 3:00 a.m., the quiet hours of the night, and it’s also the Chinese Ghost Festival, a day when people across China honor their ancestors. This cultural tradition makes tonight particularly serene. Even in Guangzhou, a city known for its relentless pace, construction work has come to a rare halt.
Yes, construction here often runs 24/7, even on weekends—something unthinkable in New Zealand. As soon as I returned, my friends bombarded me with stories of how “competitive” China has become, especially with the 996 work culture. After spending so much time in New Zealand, I find it hard to understand the purpose of 996. Is sacrificing health for money really worth it? But when I voice my concerns, the response I get is, “You don’t understand China because you’ve lived abroad for too long.”
It’s been nearly a month since I returned to Guangzhou from New Zealand—more precisely, 20 days. But in these three short weeks, I’ve deeply felt the stark cultural differences between New Zealand and China.
Just the other day, I was chatting with Becca and said that I felt like I’ve become a true New Zealander. During an interview with a Chinese media outlet in New Zealand, I mentioned how people like me, who have lived abroad for a long time, often find themselves distanced from Chinese culture. Coming back, even though this is my homeland, I’ve experienced significant cultural shock. The more I try to fit in, the more I realize how out of sync my mindset is with the local culture.
I’ve always thought of myself as Chinese, despite having lived in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK for over a decade. My roots are in China; I spent the first 18 years of my life here, receiving my education. So, I thought returning to my beloved homeland wouldn’t be too difficult. But the reality is different.
In New Zealand, people smile at you when you step outside. You can easily strike up a conversation with a stranger, whether it’s a funny remark or just a simple “hello.” In a café, you can chat with someone nearby, or even exchange greetings in an elevator. These are everyday social norms there, but in Guangdong, they are anything but ordinary.
If you smile or say hello to someone in a residential building or office elevator, you’re often met with surprised or cautious looks. This is despite China being a country with highly efficient law enforcement, where catching a thief or robber in a city like Guangzhou takes just two hours. Even in this city, considered one of the most inclusive in China, I am constantly reminded of the vast differences in social and cultural backgrounds between here and New Zealand. It makes me miss the social environment in New Zealand, where you’re always greeted with a friendly smile and a warm “How are you?” while walking your dog in the suburbs.
I hesitated for a long time before deciding to write this. My intention is not to criticize my homeland but to document the genuine feelings of a long-term expatriate returning home.
Life in China is undeniably convenient. You can order fresh vegetables at any time through platforms like Meituan, with no delivery fees, and the prices aren’t much higher than in supermarkets—in fact, sometimes they’re even cheaper. Once you place an order, you’ll receive your items within 45 minutes. The vegetables here are fresh and affordable, though fruits and meat can be pricey, especially imported goods. Even at 2:30 a.m. on a Monday or Sunday, you can order whatever you need, and it will be delivered promptly.
However, food safety remains a concern for me. In Auckland, despite the high cost of food, I never worry about the safety of what I order through delivery platforms. But in China, food safety issues, like undercooked meals or finding foreign objects in your food, are not uncommon on platforms like Meituan. Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu are filled with posts on how to defend your rights when receiving improperly prepared food. You can call the national hotline, and your issue will likely be resolved. But in New Zealand, you wouldn’t find such posts, as these issues are rarely a concern.
I still remember getting food poisoning from a sandwich at a five-star hotel in Auckland. Due to New Zealand’s food safety laws, I couldn’t lodge a complaint. I was perplexed—how could this happen in such a developed country, and why didn’t I have a channel to protect my rights?
During my time back in China, I also visited a small village. There, I found most villagers to be kind and friendly, much like the people in New Zealand’s rural areas.
I rescued a stray dog there, initially planning to save two. After posting about it on social media, I received a lot of attention. A kind vet drove three hours to help us in this remote mountain village. But when we approached the dog’s owner for help, he responded by saying he would kill the dog, and the poor creature ran away.
I stayed in the village for four days, but the dog never returned. During that time, I found another dog, a little white one named Xiao Bai, who was coughing and bleeding. His owner didn’t care, saying the dog had been like that for a long time. They even asked if I could take him, but I couldn’t, as I wasn’t in a position to care for a dog in a high-rise city. With the help of generous online supporters, the vet returned. Xiao Bai’s living conditions were terrible—he slept on the street even in the rain, had nothing to eat, and was still coughing and bleeding. The vet diagnosed him with severe anemia and a lung infection. We managed to get him some anti-inflammatory treatment at a discounted price, and some kind-hearted netizens donated money for his care.
Initially, the owners agreed to take him back after the treatment, but they later decided to abandon him. Despite our sadness, the vet, the rescuers, and I continued to search for a rescue organization to take Xiao Bai in. Finally, the owners decided to take him back. All we could do was plead with them to treat this lovely creature kindly.
Three weeks have passed, but it feels like six months.
I’ve already found a job in Guangzhou, and my good friends have planned visits to see me. I’m excited about the days ahead. In this fast-paced country, every day brings something new. There are many dogs in my community, and the younger generation seems to be more compassionate towards animals. They’re advocating for laws against animal cruelty, and some cities in China have already enacted such legislation. I sincerely hope that one day, there will be a nationwide law to protect the basic rights of animals.
China has made remarkable progress in the past 40 years as a developing country. Despite my cultural disconnect, I’m proud of the nation’s rapid development. At the same time, I hope both New Zealand and China continue to thrive.
Finally, I wish for world peace, an end to wars and suffering. To the children in Gaza, I pray for you from afar.
