Sino-African friendship is something that is close to the heart of Mr. Brazil from the Republic of Congo. He is married to a Beijing woman Zhang Yongping. Currently, they are both French teachers at the Beijing New Oriental School under the New Oriental Education and Technology Group.

Brazil came to China as a student, with a passion for football, in 1979 at the age of 22. Before he came to China, the only thing he knew about this country was wushu, or the Chinese martial arts. In his childhood, he saw many kungfu films. His friends envied his going to China and thought he would return with excellent kungfu skills.

In 1990, he met Zhang Yongping at a wedding of a Congolese student and a Chinese girl. He spoke French and most people could not understand him. Zhang helped to interpret him to the others. After the wedding, they became friends and each other’s teachers in language learning. Gradually, they fell in love.

Zhang told her parents about Brazil, through her elder sister. Before her parent saw him, they were against them being together. But the old couple changed their minds after they met Brazil. Like the Chinese, Brazil was educated to respect the elderly from childhood and got along very well with his father-in-law. “Brazil respects, is concerned and cares for my parents honestly and I really appreciate that. I am very happy now,” Zhang said.

Brazil’s mother too did not expect to have a Chinese daughter-in-law. Brazil is the youngest in his family, and his mother loves him very much. His marriage to Zhang has made her very happy and proud. “My son is great,” she said.

Zhang is good at looking after the family and Brazil likes to spend time with his wife and children. “Zhang is a good wife. I love her,” Brazil smiles.

Even after 20 years in China, Brazil continues to learn more and more about Chinese culture. “I know it is polite to put my cup lower than that of the elders while toasting,” Brazil noted.

Zhang has also imbibed African culture. She is most impressed by the Africans’ senses of humor and music.

“Their sense of humor can be seen in daily behavior. Sometimes, a single word or a single sentence can bring this out. African people’s life is full of rhythms. You can see a housewife singing and dancing while cooking,’’ Zhang said.

Brazil failed to make it as a professional football player, but he is a good teacher. He taught Chinese in Congo and now, he teaches French in China.

“It is great to teach in the New Oriental. I was very excited on my first day there. I was surprised to see nearly 200 students sitting before me, considering I teach French, a language that is not that popular in China,” Brazil said.