Living Between Two Civilizations: My China–Arab Story of Connection and Belonging

Asad Khalil, Syria, Professor and Doctor, Vice President of the Asia-Pacific International Arbitration Institute.

Photo shows Asad Khalil delivering a speech at the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit.

I had been waiting for an opportunity for many years: a moment to reflect, to narrate, and to express my deep and enduring connection with China and her people.
China, in my eyes, is beaut i ful from every dimension and every perspective, from the sky, from the land, from its rivers, lakes and oceans, in shining days or at night under the moonlight. It is golden under the sunshine, and like silk beneath the snow. It is a country where nature and civilization merge into one continuous harmony, where every landscape feels like a living painting and every season reveals a different soul of beauty: the golden reflection of sunlight over the Yangtze River, the rhythm of daily life in Yuzhong District, and the timeless harmony between tradition and modernity.
Each word I now write feels like a bridge between memory and meaning, between lived experience and intellectual reflection. Every sentence carries within its thousands of emotions, encounters, and silent stories accumulated over twenty years.
My journey in China began twenty years ago. Since then, I have lived many roles within a single country—each role revealing a different layer of China’s society and civilizat ion. I have been a learner, a teacher, an employee, an employer, a visitor, and a guide. I have been a husband to a Chinese wife, a father to two Chinese citizens, and a son-in-law deeply connected to the cultural soul of Chongqing. But beyond all these identities, I have remained what I consider the most important: a
lifelong student of China. As Confucius said:“When I walk with two others, there must be one who can be my teacher.” In China, I have found teachers everywhere—not only in universities or classrooms, but in daily life itself. I have learned from farmers, students, colleagues, strangers on the street, and the wisdom embedded in
Chinese tradition. China, in this sense, has been my greatest teacher. I live in Yuzhong District, the very center of Chongqing. Chongqing itself is not just a city to me—it is a living force, a symbol of resilience, dynamism, and connectivity. The city is famously known for its bridges, and I often reflect on this symbolism in relation to my own life. From my first day here, I quietly embraced a personal mission: to become an invisible bridge.
Not a physical bridge made of steel and concrete, but a human bridge—connecting cultures, languages, and civilizations. A bridge between China and the Arab world; between Chinese cultural wisdom and Arab cultural heritage; between students, scholars and societies.
In this role, I have dedicated myself to cultural and academic exchange, with a particular focus on people-to-people connections. I strongly believe that the relationship between nations is built not only in embassies or institutions but also in classrooms, in friendships, in shared meals, in teaching moments, and in sincere dialogue between individuals.
Over the years, my contribution has taken many forms. I have spent nearly a decade teaching, engaging with students from diverse backgrounds. Teaching in China did not only mean delivering knowledge; it meant participating in a shared intellectual journey. I taught law and related disciplines, but I learned far more than I taught. I learned patience in complex environments, tolerance in diversity, discipline in preparation, and long-term thinking in both academic and personal life.
I have always believed that education is not the transmission of information, but the cultivation of understanding. Even when I am not formally in a classroom, teaching remains part of my identity. I continue to support students, young scholars, and academic initiatives whenever possible—both in China and internationally. Whether through mentorship, dialogue, or participation in academic programs, I consider education a lifelong responsibility.
In addition to teaching, I have contributed to init iat ives that promote pract ical learning and intercultural understanding. These initiatives, carried out in Chongqing and other parts of China, aim to connect theory with practice and to bring students closer to real-world legal, cultural, and social environments.

I have also engaged in efforts that connect Arab and Chinese communities through academic collaboration, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding.
To me, this is not simply professional work—it is a form of cultural service.
Over these twenty years, China has not only been a place where I live; it has also been a place where I have grown, built a family, and shaped my worldview. It has given me education, opportunity, stability, and a sense of belonging. I earned both my master’s degree and PhD in China, and those academic achievements
represent only one layer of what I truly gained. The deeper learning came from life itself.
I learned how to listen before speaking. I learned how to observe before judging. I learned how to build relationships across differences. And I learned that
development is not only economic or institutional—it is also human, emotional, and cultural.
For all of this, I hold deep gratitude.
To me, China is not only a country defined by geography or governance. It is a civilizational space that embodies both continuity and transformation. It is ancient and modern, traditional and innovative, local and global. It is mountains and megacities, rivers and high-speed rails, poetry and technology existing side by side.
It is, as I often feel, not just a country.
It is a world within a country.
This is why my gratitude is not abstract—it is lived. It is present in my daily life, my family, my work, and my intellectual journey. I am deeply grateful to China for allowing me to grow not only as an academic, but as a human being.
And I remain committed—now and in the future— to continue building bridges of understanding, promot ing cultural dialogue, and strengthening people-to-people friendship between China and the world.
In addition to my academic and cultural journey in China, I have the distinct honor of serving as the Vice Chairman of the Asia Pacific International Arbitration Chamber (APIAC). This role represents not only a professional responsibility in the field of dispute resolution, but also a deeper intellectual and civilizational engagement with the philosophy of law, order, and harmony.

Asad Khalil attended the advanced training seminar on "International Arbitration and Cross-Border Dispute Resolution Practice" hosted by APIAC.

Arbitration, in its essence, is more than a legal mechanism. It is a reflection of how societies choose to resolve differences—whether through confrontation or through structured dialogue, whether through prolonged litigation or through efficient, consensual resolution. In this regard, arbitration embodies one of the most important principles of modern governance: the pursuit of fairness through efficiency, and justice through agreement.
What makes arbitration particularly meaningful in China is that it is not simply an imported concept. Rather, it resonates deeply with traditional Chinese thought. For thousands of years, Chinese civilization has emphasized harmony (和), balance, and mediation as central values in social governance.
As Confucius taught:“In the practice of rituals and governance, harmony is the most valuable principle.”
This principle lies at the heart of both traditional Chinese philosophy and modern arbitration practice. Arbitration seeks not only to determine who is right or wrong, but to restore balance, preserve relationships, and provide a structured pathway for resolving disputes without unnecessary escalation.
In this sense, arbitration is profoundly compatible with Chinese legal culture. Long before modern arbitration institutions were established, Chinese
societyal ready relied heavily on mediat ion, community-based resolution, and consensus-building mechanisms. The cultural preference for dialogue over
confrontation, and for resolution over rupture, reflects a deeply rooted civilizational wisdom that continues to inform contemporary legal development.

Within the broader context of China’s legal modernization, arbitration plays a crucial role as a bridge between domestic legal reform and international legal integration. It enhances the efficiency of dispute resolut ion, st rengthens commercial conf idence, and contributes to a stable, predictable business environment. At the same time, it aligns China’s legal infrastructure with global standards while preserving its cultural uniqueness.
In my capacity as Vice Chairman, I see arbitration not merely as an institutional process, but as a platform for cross-cultural understanding and international
cooperation. The Asia Pacific region, in particular, is characterized by immense diversity—legal systems, cultural traditions, economic models, and historical
experiences all intersect within a single dynamic space. Arbitration therefore becomes a neutral and construct ive space where di fferences can be addressed with professionalism, respect, and mutual understanding.
My engagement in this field is also closely connected to my broader mission of people-to-people exchange between China and the world. Just as I have worked to build cultural and educational bridges, arbitration allows me to contribute to the building of legal and institutional bridges—bridges that support trust, cooperation, and sustainable development in international relations.
In many ways, I see arbitration as an extension of the same philosophy that has guided my life in China: the philosophy of connection rather than separation, of dialogue rather than division, and of harmony rather than conflict.
China’s rise in the field of arbitration is therefore not accidental. It is the continuation of a long historical trajectory in which governance and social order have always sought balance between law, morality, and harmony. Modern arbitration institutions represent a contemporary expression of these enduring values, adapted to the complexities of global commerce and international interaction.
For me personally, this f ield represents a convergence of law, culture, and civi lizat ion. It is a space where my academic background, my teaching experience, and my cross-cultural identity all intersect. It allows me to contribute not only to legal practice, but also to a broader vision of global understanding—one in which legal systems are not in competition, but in conversation.
Ultimately, arbitrat ion ref lects a simple but profound truth: that even in disagreement, there is always a possibility for understanding; and even in conflict, there is always a pathway toward harmony.
My commitment to China is also expressed through a broader sense of social responsibility that goes beyond professional roles, institutional affiliation, or specific fields of work. Over the years, I have come to understand that meaningful presence in any society is ultimately measured not by position but by contribution to its people, development, and future well-being.
In this regard, I have always bel ieved that individuals carry an obligation to contribute positively to the social environment in which they live. This contribution need not be large in scale or formal in structure; rather, it must be consistent, sincere, and directed toward improving human connections and social understanding.
Living in China for two decades has given me a unique perspective on the importance of stability, continuity, and collective progress. I have witnessed how individuals, families, and communities are deeply interconnected, and how social harmony is bui lt through everyday acts of cooperat ion, respect, and mutual support. This experience has strengthened my belief that social responsibility
begins at the individual level.

For this reason, I have consistently sought to engage in ways that support social cohesion and human development. Whether through informal mentoring, supporting young people in their academic and professional journeys, or encouraging dialogue across cultural and linguistic boundaries, I see these act ions as smal l but meaningful contributions to the broader social fabric.
I also strongly believe that knowledge carries responsibility. Those who have benef ited from education, exposure, and international experience carry an implicit duty to share insight, guide others when possible, and help reduce misunderstandings between cultures and communities. In my own experience, I have tried to fulfill this responsibility whenever opportunities arise, particularly in contexts where individuals seek guidance in navigating education, cross-cultural adaptation, or professional development.
At the heart of my commitment is a simple principle: to leave behind something constructive in every environment I participate in. This does not necessarily mean creating institutions or achieving visible milestones, but rather ensuring that interactions—whether academic, professional, or personal—cont r ibute posit ively to others’ understanding or growth.
I have also learned that commitment to a society is not static; it evolves with time. It is not defined by a single act or moment, but by sustained engagement over years, even decades. In my case, this has meant remaining present, contributing where possible, and maintaining a long-term perspective on how individual actions accumulate into broader social impact.
Ultimately, my commitment is grounded in a belief in shared human development. I see societies not as separate ent it ies in compet it ion, but as interconnected spaces where cooperation, learning, and mutual respect can create lasting value. I intend to continue contributing to this vision in a quiet, consistent, and responsible manner.
Source: INTERNATIONAL TALENT