Ningbo Embraces the Asian Games ▏“China-Savvy” Expat Impresses Locals with Fluent Ningbo Dialect

"Vibrant Ningbo embraces the Asian Games! Welcome to Ningbo for the Asian Games!" Parviz Halimov (Chinese name: 朋伟) is a "China-savvy" Tajik expat who is currently working as the marketing director of Qiyue Co., Ltd. in Mingcheng Residential Community, Fuming Sub-District, Yinzhou District.    

Since his arrival in China 17 years ago, Parviz has visited numerous cities. In 2006, while majoring in international relations, he began an internship in Beijing, where he worked for many years after graduation. Yet he prefers Ningbo over Beijing. "In Beijing, the rapid pace of life always gives me a sense of urgency. In Ningbo, however, I can be much more relaxed and enjoy life."

In 2020, Parviz moved to Ningbo, where he and his family have settled down and witnesses the fast development of Eastern New Town. "This area is rapidly transforming. When I first came, there were hardly any skyscrapers, but now they are everywhere. They seem to have sprung up out of nowhere, as if by magic."

Parviz is in a supermarket.   

The interview with Parviz went efficiently because he speaks Mandarin fluently. Remarkably, he never took any formal classes; his Chinese was entirely self-taught. Every weekend, he visits the wet market early in the morning, haggling with the stall owners just like a born-and-bred local.

"噶巨 (“so expensive!” in Ningbo dialect). Can it be cheaper?" When Parviz first arrived in Ningbo, a local friend taught him this “magic word” for bargaining, which he can now say with perfect intonation. At the fish stall, he knowingly asks the stall owner for a handful of free green onions.

All of the stall owners are shocked by his fluent Mandarin when he opens his mouth. "How did you become so fluent in Mandarin? How long have you been in China?" Parviz is extroverted and can always strike up a conversation. He has made many Chinese friends over time.

Parviz is playing with children.

Parviz has fallen in love with Chinese cuisine over the years, to the point where he can now prepare Chinese dishes at home. Tomato-egg stir-fry is one of his favorites. Authentic Zhajiangmian (noodles with fried bean and meat sauce) is a regular on his weekend menu. During festivals, he loves making beef dumplings with his family. The “taste of China” is an indispensable part of his lifestyle.   

When asked about his most memorable experience in Ningbo, Parviz responded without hesitation, "the typhoon." "A typhoon arrived at the same time that I came to Ningbo. The strong winds and rain were scary. Underground parking lots were flooded, and all the cars had to be towed."

For the most part, Parviz feels comfortable living in Ningbo. During the pandemic when he was quarantined at home, community workers delivered food and supplies to his door. He is also impressed by how polite the drivers are, always yielding to pedestrians at zebra crossings.

Parviz experiences lion dance..

Parviz fills his weekends with activities. He takes his children to Dongqian Lake or out hiking along the historical trails. Every week, he plays his favorite sport, billiards, with his friends. He is also fond of traditional Chinese culture and is always eager to experience it. This year, he saw a lion dance for the first time at an event organized by the Mingcheng Residential Community during the Lantern Festival. "I had only seen it on television before, I never thought I’d get the chance to see it in person!"  

"I'm slightly nervous about the upcoming livestream event." This time, Parviz will participate in a relay race across Ningbo in celebration of the Asian Games as a runner. He will also be an MC at the Yinzhou leg's starting point, where he will disclose the specifics of the Yinzhou relay race. Let us look forward to it!

Reporter: Xue Caosheng

Correspondent: Chu Yanling

Translated by Mei Jie

Proofreader: Zhao Qingchuan