On Saturday, August 8, 2026, the Universal Peace Federation Düsseldorf hosted a special event dedicated to intercultural dialogue and personal encounter. Held under the theme “Experiencing China Up Close,” the gathering featured Peace Ambassador Gholam Bayat as guest speaker. Having lived and worked in China for more than ten years, including as a German teacher, Mr. Bayat offered a firsthand account of everyday life, social customs, and cultural impressions. His presentation took the audience from Beijing, where his journey began in 2014, to Nanjing and beyond.
Bayat painted a vivid picture of a society marked by organization, efficiency, and a strong sense of public order. Rental apartments, he explained, are often fully furnished, allowing newcomers to settle in quickly. Residential compounds are commonly gated, staffed with security personnel, and equipped with small shops and services for daily needs. He was particularly impressed by the friendliness of the people, the cleanliness of public spaces, and the punctuality of the railway system. He also noted the visible role of older people in urban communities, where many remain actively involved in everyday neighborhood life. At the same time, Bayat addressed more challenging aspects of life in China, including the widespread use of surveillance cameras in public areas and the state social credit system, both of which shape daily behavior in tangible ways.
The discussion also turned to education. While studying and living in China can be comparatively affordable, Bayat described student life as demanding, with many students sharing small rooms and facing intense academic pressure. High performance is expected throughout the school and university system, and private German-language instruction can be costly. Studying abroad is widely regarded as a valuable career advantage, though Bayat observed that such paths are often strongly influenced by parental expectations rather than by the students’ own initiative. He also offered brief reflections on the geopolitical significance of the New Silk Road and on China’s diverse religious landscape, which includes hundreds of millions of believers.
A further highlight of the presentation was Mr. Bayat’s account of Qingdao, the coastal city shaped in part by its German colonial history. From 1898 to 1914, Qingdao was leased as a German colony, and traces of that period remain visible in its architecture. The old town still features notable European Art Nouveau buildings, including the former Governor’s Residence, the granite-built Christ Church, and the historic railway station. Perhaps the city’s best-known legacy is the Tsingtao Brewery, founded in 1903 by German brewmasters. Originally brewed according to the German Purity Law, Tsingtao has since become China’s largest brewery. This distinctive blend of German historical influence, beer culture, and Chinese coastal atmosphere continues to give Qingdao its unique character.
Following the lecture, participants engaged in a lively question-and-answer session, raising numerous personal questions about daily life, cultural differences, and social realities in China. The event concluded with a shared meal of typical Chinese specialties, snacks, and drinks, providing an informal setting for further conversation and reflection.