The “Hello China” is a large-scale multimedia cultural project jointly planned and implemented by China Radio International and Higher Education Press, sponsored by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television of China.
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1 Introduction to China
The ancient Yellow River flows uninterrupted from east to west for thousands of years. Silk was made into cloth, while clay was made into pottery and ceramics. Millions of stones were piled into the Great Wall. The country created many wonders，such as the Great Wall, Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Terracotta Warriors and Chinese Kung F u. Beijing is the capital of Zhongguo, or China, which opens to and embraces the world. The Beijing Olympic Games 2008 and the Shanghai world Expo 2010 were held here in Zhongguo. Peking Opera and Western opera are performed on the same stage. Cultures of the whole world show brilliant vitality in this ancient country. This is Zhongguo. Hope you can understand her, appreciate her and love her. All the Chinese people, black-eyed, and yellow-skinned welcome you with open arms.
一条古老的黄河贯穿东西，流淌千年。蚕丝制成服装，粘土烧成瓷器。石头垒出了万里长城。这个国度创造了很多奇迹，长城，敦煌莫高窟，兵马俑和功夫。北京，今天它开放国门，走向现代。奥运会，世界博览会在这里召开。京剧与歌剧在这里同台。世界文化在这里同放光彩，这就是中国。希望你能了解它，欣赏它，爱上它。黄皮肤黑眼睛的中国人，张开双臂热情欢迎你。
2 Ni Hao An introduction
Ni Hao is the most commonly used greeting. Kong Qiu, or Confucius, told people 2,500 years ago that everyone must follow etiquette. So, China is called the ‘home of etiquette’. Ni Hao is the most typical greeting in China wishing you well. A greeting that wishes you good health, a good job and a happy family. Let’s say that together: ’Ni Hao！’.
你好是一句最常用的问候语，2500多年前，中国人的道德先驱孔子告诉他的人民。一个没有礼貌的人，不能被称之为人。故而，中国被称作礼仪之邦。你好，就是这个礼仪之邦里最具中国色彩的问候语。你好，可以祝福一切美好事物。身体好，工作好，家庭好，当中国人向你说你好的时候，已经包含了这些含义的祝福。让我们大家一起来说：“你好”.
3 Confucius and Chinese philosophy
Born in 551 BC, Confucius, Kong Zi, has made the greatest contribution to Chinese culture of anyone in history. Although he was raised in a poor family, he visited famous scholars and learned a lot. He developed his thoughts into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism. Confucianism emphasized self-cultivation, harmonious relationships with each other and respect for the elderly. Friends should be honest to each other. Rulers should make an effort to provide a happy life for people. He was a great teacher as well and promoted education for ordinary people. He traveled around to promote his political thinking but failed. But he never gave up. Kong Zi is a great Chinese spiritual leader. Over the last 2,000 years, his philosophy has continued to influence China and the rest of the world. It is also regarded as the symbol of oriental culture.
孔子出生于公元前551年，是历史上对中国文化影响最大的人。他出身贫寒，为了求学遍访名师。后来，他创立了儒家思想。儒家思想注重人的自身修养，强调要与人建立一种和谐关系，对待长辈尊敬有礼。与朋友交往真诚守信。统治者应致力于让人民生活幸福。孔子还是一位伟大的老师，他倡导每个人都有受教育的权利。孔子周游列国，希望自己的思想能用于治理国家，却一直未能成功。他心怀理想从未放弃。孔子是华夏民族精神上的引领者。2000多年来，孔子的思想影响着中国乃至世界。成为东方文化的一种象征。
4 Sun Tzu The Ultimate Master of War
Sun Tzu, who lived in China during the Spring and Autumn Period, is regarded as the ultimate master of war. His great military work, The Art of War, has been read for more than 2,000 years. Sun Tzu believed that competition between economies and logistics is the nature of war. Only if the nation is prosperous and its people are strong enough will they win the war, otherwise the war will bring huge damages to the nation and people. Gathering information on your enemies is the key to winning wars. The victorious general must be familiar with his enemies just as with himself and direct troops according to the newest situation. The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without force. His spirit reminds us that peace is the common objective we should pursue.
春秋时期的中国，有一个被誉为兵圣的人——孙子。他写了一部流传2000年的军事论著《孙子兵法》。孙子主张战争制胜的基础是经济和后勤上的较量。国富民强才能取得战争的胜利，否则会给本国人民带来巨大伤害。战争制胜的关键是要随时随地了解敌人的信息。要像熟悉自己一样熟悉敌人。随时根据敌人的行动改变作战部署，赢得战争的胜利。战争制胜的最高境界是不采用武力便能迫使敌人投降。现在，孙子的思想依然提醒人们和平才是人类共同的目标。
5 Lao Tzu Father of Chinese Philosophy
Kong Qiu(Confucius),the historical Chinese saint, is considered to be the greatest teacher of China. His teacher was Lao Tzu (Laozi). Kong Qiu said that Lao Tzu was a dragon who hid in the clouds. He learned from Lao Tzu all his life but could not understand all his great wisdom. 2,500 years later his work has been translated into many foreign languages. Lao Tzu believed that people should learn from nature and keep a harmonious relationship with nature. Beside a river, Lao Tzu told Kong Qiu that a saint should act like flowing water. Water gives life to others but does not fight with others. A saint makes no error and no one hates him. Therefore, he can make great achievements. In China, Lao Tzu is considered the elite of teachers.
东方圣人孔子被中国人称为最伟大的老师。他的老师是老子。孔子称颂老子像一条神龙隐藏在云雾之中。用一辈子的时间跟他学习也不能完全领悟他的伟大和智慧。2500年后老子的著作成为被翻译成最多语言的中国读物。老子认为人类要向自然学习注意保持天地万物的和谐发展。在一条小溪旁，老子告诉孔子圣人应当像这眼前的流水。水善于滋养万物而不与万物争夺利益。所以圣人没有过失也没有人来怨恨他。他才能成就大业。在中国，老子被认为是老师中的老师。
6 Sun and Chinese solar terms
Sun, tai yang, brings light and by vitality to the world. Legends say that there were ten tai yang in the sky in ancient times. People couldn’t put up with the hot weather brought by ten tai yang. A hero named Houyi shot down nine tai yang with his bow. The Chinese created a calendar according to shadows produced by the last tai yang. The Chinese have created 24 solar terms according to the circulation laws of tai yang. They are used to guide farming activities. The rise and set of tai yang represents hope in the hearts of Chinese people.
太阳为人类世界带来了光明和生机。传说在中国的远古时代天上曾经有十个太阳。人们难以忍受这样的高温。英雄后裔挺身而出用弓箭射掉了九个太阳。根据对太阳光影的测量中国人创立了自己的历法。中国人还根据太阳的运行规律，制定了二十四节气。依靠它来指导农田耕作。日升日落，太阳代表着中国人心中的希望。
7 Moon and its significance in Chinese culture
This character means moon with wax and wane. Mythical meanings are attributed to yue liang in Chinese legends. Legend has it, that Chang’e, the wife of Ancient Chinese hero Hou Yi, stole her husband’s elixir and ate it. Then she became a fairy and flew to the yue liang. She lived alone on the yue liang with the only company of a rabbit. Worshipping yue liang is an ancient costom in China. A round yue liang represents family reunion and often reminds people of their family. An ancient Chinese poem says : raise my eyes to the yue liang, lower my head and think of home.
月缺月圆，这个字就是月亮。在中国，月亮被赋予了许多神话色彩。传说，后羿的妻子嫦娥吃了丈夫的仙丹。独自飞上天成了仙。她孤独地生活在月亮上只有一只兔子陪伴。在中国，有祭拜月亮的习俗。圆圆的月亮又象征着团圆，人们看到月亮就会思念家人。正像中国有首古诗所说：“举头望明月，低头思故乡。”
8 Chinese Lunar Calendar Introduction
The lunar calendar (nong li) is the traditional Chinese calendar and is often used in agriculture. According to nong li, the crescent appears on the first day of each month and full moon comes out at in the middle of the month. The cycle lasts for about 30 days. 24 days mark 24 divisions of the solar year in nong li, according to the different positions of the sun. For example, the division ‘Lichun’ or ‘the beginning of spring’, reminds people that spring is coming. ‘Jingzhe’ or ‘the walking of insects’ means that the weather is getting warmer. ‘Lixia’ or ‘the beginning of summer’ is the point that crops are blooming. ‘Dahan’ or ‘the great cold’ is the end of severe winter. All these create a circle. Year after year people experience the mysteries of nature with nong li.
农历是中国的传统历法，农业上使用的历书。新月是农历一个月的第一天，满月到了就是农历的月中。这样循环一月大约要30天。农历又根据太阳的位置设立了二十四节气。立春提醒人们开始进入了春天。惊蛰时，天气渐渐暖和，小虫子都出来活动。立夏农作物开始旺盛地生长。大寒以后，天气逐渐暖和了。至此，地球绕太阳公转了一周完成了一个循环。一年又一年，人们根据农历观察自然，体会大自然的神秘。
9 The Chinese compass and explorer Zheng He
A compass, zhi nan zhen, indicates north and south. It was invented by Chinese 2,000 years ago. The ancient zhi nan zhen looked like a spoon. When the spoon was put on a plate its handle could point to the south using magnetic fields. Then Chinese used a little steel needle to replace the spoon. This made the zhi nan zhen easier to carry. 600 years ago, Zheng He, a famous eunuch of the Ming Dynasty, traveled to Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean seven times. Zheng even reached the Red Sea with the help of the zhi nan zhen. The invention boosted the development of navigation.
指南针可以指示南北。2000多年前，中国人发明了它。古代的指南针像一把汤勺。把它放在平滑的盘子上，依靠磁铁的原理，当它静止的时候，勺柄就会指向南方。后来中国人用小小的钢针代替了汤勺。指南针就更轻便了。600多年前，郑和先后七下西洋，最远到达非洲东岸—红海，便是依靠指南针导航。指南针的 出现促进了世界航海时代的发展。
10 Gunpowder An explosive Chinese invention
Gunpowder (huo yao) is another ancient Chinese invention. It was invented by accident. More than 1,000 years ago people experimenting in a pharmacy made the discovery. They found that if sulphur, charcoal and potassium nitrate were mixed together with a certain proportion the mixture would explode. Gunpowder changed the style of wars. The steel age ended and gunpowder-based weapons are now widely used. More than 600 years ago primitive guns were used in China. Cannon balls were propelled by the thrust of the huo yao explosion. Now, huo yao is also widely used in fireworks. The splendid fireworks at the Beijing Olympic Games garnered wide acclaim and admiration from the audience.
火药是中国的一项古老发明。它的发明很偶然。1000年前，人类在尝试制造各种药物的过程中。偶然发现将硫磺、硝石、木炭以一定比例混合便生产出火药。火药使军事武器从冷兵器开始向火器发展。600多年前，中国便有了原始火炮，利用火药燃烧产生的推力发射炮弹。今日的火药广泛用于烟火。2008年北京奥运会上，无数绽放在空中的美丽烟火令人惊叹不已，带给人全新的美感。
11 Paper Chinese inventions
Paper, zhi, was a Chinese invention. 2,000 years ago, Chinese invented paper-making. This zhi was made of silk and was so expensive that only the emperor and aristocrats could afford to use it. 1,900 years ago, a eunuch called Cai Lun improved the paper- making process. He made cheap jinzhi out of tree bark and rags. The improvement in paper-making spread zhi far and wide, and many different types of zhi were invented by Chinese people. Xuan paper, a kind of high quality rice paper, best shows the charm of traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. Jute paper is used to transcribe Chinese classics. Later Chinese zhi spread to the West via the Chinese Silk Road. Thousands of years of culture and civilization were recorded on zhi, and passed to different parts of the world.
纸的发明源于中国。2000年前，中国人发明了造纸术。这种纸用蚕丝做原料，价格昂贵，只有皇帝和贵族才能使用。1900多年前，一个叫蔡伦的人改进了造纸术。他利用树皮、破布造出了轻便而又廉价的纸。造纸术的改进使纸广为流传，也出现了很多品种。宣纸最能展示中国画的魅力，黄麻纸多用来书写中国古老的经书。后来，中国的纸经过丝绸之路传向西方。千百年来，文明被记录在纸上，传递到世界各地。
12 Invention of printing
A Chinese named Bi Sheng invented movable type print around 1,000 years ago. The movable components are cubes made of baked clay. Characters were carved on each piece of clay, which looked like the seals widely used in China. The movable components could be arranged freely to form different vocabularies and sentences. They were fixed on an iron plate with frames in certain sequence. Then ink was painted and a piece of paper was laid down. A printed sheet was created this way. This technique improved the efficiency of printing and transformed traditional transcription into modern printing. Scripts and paintings spread widely in the world with the help of yin shua.
大约1000年前，中国人毕昇发明了活字印刷术。活字，就是一个个用胶泥制成的长方体石块。每个石块上都雕刻着一个汉字，这些字块就像中国人常用的印章。活字之间，可以灵活地排列组合，组词造句。印刷时，用带框的四方形铁板作底托。刷上墨、盖上纸，排版整齐的印刷品就这样诞生了。毕昇发明的活字印刷大大提高了印刷效率，让传统的手工抄写发展成为批量印刷。文字、图画借助印刷术更加快速、广泛地传播到世界各地。
13 Peking opera An introduction
Jingju, or Peking opera, is an ancient performance art with a history of 200 years. Jingju has four kinds of roles according to different identities and personalities. The lyrics of Jingju are performed by singing or rhythmic speaking, accompanied by dozens of musical instruments. Now Jingju, still enchants many Chinese people and foreigners with its unique charm.
京剧是一个有200多年历史的古老戏曲。按照人物的身份、性格，京剧把所有角色分为四类。京剧的台词使用歌唱或者富于音乐性的念白。用于京剧伴奏的乐器有十几种。今天，京剧依然用它独特的魅力让很多人着迷。
14 Traditional Chinese Water, ink and poetry
Red, green, black, white, heavy, light, dry and wet changes of water and ink on paper show the mysteries of traditional Chinese painting, guo hua. Tools and materials involve writing brushes, ink, colored ink, rice paper and silk. The hardness or softness of brushes, paper absorbency and color determine the features of guo hua. Water, ink and lines are the most essential factors for guo hua. Unlike Western paintings, guo hua doesn’t use three dimensions or realism. Instead, paintings involve a unique Chinese view of scenery. It’s very common that a Chinese painting is attached with a poem. If you understand guo hua you will have a better understanding of Chinese people.
红、绿、黑、白、浓、淡、干、湿，水墨在纸上的变化显示着中国画的奥秘。绘画的工具和材料通常有毛笔、墨、颜料、宣纸等。画笔的软硬、纸张对于水分的吸收、颜料的色彩表现都充分影响了中国画的特征。中国画注重水墨与线条，和西方油画比较起来，中国画不追求立体和写实。这是因为中国人观看景物，有自己独特的方式。国画画面上常伴有诗句。了解了中国画也就了解了中国人。
15 Chinese frescoes Ancient artworks
Chinese frescoes date back to the prehistoric period some 10,000 years ago. People carved images of human activities and natural views on rocks. Excavated from tombs built 2,200 years ago, the bi hua remains clear, vivid and colorful. Legend has it that an ancient painter drew a dragon on the wall and when he added eyes to the drawing the image turned into a real dragon. With the introduction of Buddhism to China, bi hua on the subject of religion rapidly developed. The bi hua, or frescoes, in the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes are the most famous ones in China. They are a collection of masterpieces of numerous painters in the past 1,000 years. They tell historical tales and religious stories.
中国壁画最早可追溯到距今一万年前的史前时期。人们在岩壁上刻画下人类活动与自然景物。2200多年前，中国古墓出土的壁画线条流畅、色彩艳丽、生动形象。传说古代有位画家在墙壁上画的龙十分神似，待画上眼睛之后竟然变成了真龙。后来佛教传入中国，宗教壁画迅速发展。中国最出名的壁画群在敦煌莫高窟。它是无数画匠千余年来的杰作。集中描绘了宗教、历史、故事与传说。
16 Dance brings Chinese people together
Scenes of dancing were drawn on pottery in China some 5,000 years ago. At that time, people danced at ceremonies for worship. There was a concubine who could dance on a tray in the imperial palace about 2,000 years ago. She danced so lightly that she supposedly would fly away when the wind blew. Legends say that an emperor made his soldiers dance when he returned in triumph. The dance was powerful and vigorous. People also dance on festivals, on the celebrations and weddings. You can see abundant styles of wu dao in China, a country composed of many ethnic groups. Wu dao shortens the distance between people.
5000年以前，陶器上就记载了中国人舞蹈的画面。那时人们在祭祀的时候跳舞。大约2000年前的中国宫廷，有一位皇妃能在托盘中跳舞，好像风一吹就要飞了。历史上还有一位皇帝，每当凯旋归来的时候就让士兵跳舞庆祝胜利。这种舞蹈刚劲有力。人们也在节日、丰收、结婚等喜庆的日子里跳舞。中国是多民族融合的国家。在这里，你能看到丰富多彩的舞蹈。舞蹈让人和人之间的距离更近了。
17 Chinese music and its natural origins
Chinese music originated from nature. The sounds of the wind blowing through the trees, birds chirping and water flowing are the inspiration of Chinese yin yue. Xun, an ancient egg-shaped instrument made of pottery, can imitate the sound of the wind blowing through the holes. The bone flute, which was made 8,000 years ago, could also imitate the sounds of nature. There were 125 instruments in the private orchestra of a noble more than 2,000 years ago, according to archaeological findings. Various categories make up Chinese yin yue, some involving more modern elements. However, the natural beauty of Chinese yin yue has endured from classic styles to the modern compositions.
中国音乐来自自然，风吹过树林的声音、鸟叫的声音、水流的声音，都启发了中国音乐。用陶土制成的埙可以发出风吹洞穴的声音。8000年前的骨笛，也在模仿自然界的声音。考古发现，在2000多年前，一个贵族家里的乐队，有125件乐器，规模巨大。中国音乐发展到现在，种类丰富。今天中国音乐融合进了更多现代元素。从古典到现代，始终未变的是它的自然之美。
18 Traditional Chinese chime bells Bianzhong
Chime bells, bian zhong, are the most majestic and holy ancient instrument in China. As a symbol of power, they were used for sacrificial ceremonies or other crucial ceremonies, starting 3,500 years ago. Bian zhong were composed of bells with different scales. The bells are played by mallets and create the sounds of seven musical scales, much like the piano. What’s more amazing is that one bell can generate two notes when struck at different spots. This set of bian zhong was discovered in the tomb of an ancient monarch. The ancient treasure finally saw the light of day. Its exquisite cast and pure sound revealed the high level of ancient Chinese civilization and wisdom.
说到中国的古代乐器，最为庄严神圣、气势宏伟的非编钟莫属。编钟出现于3500年前的中国，它经常在祭祀、战争等重大庆典时演奏，是贵族权势的象征。编钟是由大小不同的铜钟组成用木锤敲击能发出与钢琴上七个音阶几乎相等的乐音。更为惊奇的是，敲击编钟不同的部位能发出两个音调。这套编钟是在中国古代一个国君的墓葬中发现的。尘封了几千年的瑰宝，得以与世人相见。它的铸造之精美、音质之纯正体现了中国古人的智慧和文明。
19 Gu Qing Chinese musical instrument
Long, long ago, a person was playing gu qin. A woodcutter heard the song and said, “I feel the mountains and rivers in the music” The player was happy that man understood what is in his heart and made friends with him. The body of gu qin is made of wood and the strings are made of silk. Playing gu qin in an elegant environment brings people back to nature. Playing gu qin can purify the soul. It represents wisdom, talent and emotion. In 1977, a recording of Flowing Water was broadcasted on the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecrafts in outer space.
古时，有一个人在弹琴。一个打柴人听过后说：“我感受到高山和江河。”弹琴人很高兴有人能听懂他的心，于是他们成为了朋友。古琴以木为体，蚕丝为弦。弹琴要在优雅的环境里才能回归自然。弹奏古琴能让心宁静下来，净化自己的灵魂 。在中国人的眼里，古琴是一种才智、才艺和才情的化身。1977年，中国古琴曲《流水》通过太空探测器旅行者一号和二号传向外太空。
20 Calligraphy The ancient art of expression
Chinese calligraphy (shu fa) refers to writing art and techniques with writing brushes. 1,600 years ago, a boy named Wang Xizhi worked hard at calligraphy. He washed his writing brushes in a pool and the pool turned black. Eventually he became a prominent calligrapher in China. Writing brushes, Chinese inks, rice paper and ink slabs are the basic tools of calligraphy. Proper technique for handling the writing brushes and maintaining the proper angle between the tips of brushes and the paper are required. The structure of each individual character and overall arrangement are both important. Calligraphers have created plenty of masterpieces which have been passed from generation to generation. One of the masterpieces is the “Orchid Pavilion Preface” by Wang Xizhi. Shu fa represents the aesthetic, taste and philosophy of Chinese scholars.中国书法通常是指用毛笔书写的艺术和技法。1600多年前的王羲之勤练书法。他涮洗毛笔的墨汁把池塘都染成了黑色。后来他成为了中国最受尊崇的书法家。笔墨纸砚是书法的基本工具。书法讲求握笔的姿势，注意笔尖和纸的角度，也讲究单个字的结构和整体的布局。几千年里，书法家们创作了诸多传世名作。王羲之的《兰亭序》便是其中之一。可以说书法蕴含着中国文人的审美情趣和人生哲学。
21 Chinese writing brush Calligraphy
More than two thousand years ago, a general returned from hunting and was inspired by the tail of a rabbit. He cut off the tail and stuck it into a bamboo drain, making the first writing brush. The pen holder is made of bamboo or bone, the nib is made hairs from sheep, rabbits or wolves. Unlike other writing tools, it is difficult to write with writing brushes. Writing han zi with soft mao bi represents oriental philosophy. It is regarded as a method to cultivate the mind and nature, and widely used among scholars. Writing became an art called calligraphy with the birth of mao bi. Mao bi is a friend of Chinese scholars, making records of their knowledge and character.
2000多年前，一位狩猎归来的将军受到兔子尾巴的启发，他把兔尾剪下插入竹管。从此，第一支毛笔诞生了。它用竹子或兽骨作为笔杆，把羊、兔或狼的毛捆扎成圆而尖的毛束作为笔头。在其他书写工具中只有毛笔的质地是软的，这为书写增加了难度。用柔软的毛笔写方正的汉字，正符合了东方的哲学精神。中国文人用写毛笔字来磨砺意志。毛笔的诞生让写字成为一门艺术，即书法。毛笔像一位朋友陪伴在中国文人的身边，记录和见证着他们的学识与品格。