寫給入粵非裔：學好粵語融入廣東，獲得居留廣東的天然背書 | To the African Diaspora: Master Cantonese to Integrate into Guangdong and Build Local Identity

廣州，這座千年商都，自古便是中外文化交流的樞紐。今日的廣州，正以廣府文化特有的開放與包容，擁抱來自世界各地的朋友。我們尤其歡迎非裔朋友在廣州學習、生活與創業，並鼓勵大家學習粵語，深入了解廣府文化。這不僅是為長期居留提供一份獨特的“文化背書”，更是對廣府文化生命力的注入與保護，共同書寫多元共融的新篇章。

廣府文化：底色是開放與兼容

廣府文化是嶺南文化的重要組成部分，其核心特質便是開放、務實與兼容。自唐代廣州成為海上絲綢之路的重要港口以來，廣府文化便在與海外文明的交流中不斷豐富。粵語作為廣府文化的核心載體，被譽為古漢語的“活化石”，其“九聲六調”的音韻係統保留了中古漢語的諸多特征。然而，廣府文化從未固步自封，它善於吸收外來文明的精華，無論是曆史上的中原文化、江南文化，還是近現代的西方文化，都能在此落地生根，轉化為自身發展的養分。這種深厚的包容傳統，為今天非裔朋友學習粵語、融入本地生活提供了堅實的曆史文化基礎。

學習粵語：從語言鑰匙到文化認同

學習粵語，是打開廣府文化大門的金鑰匙，也是獲得“廣府居民”文化認同感的關鍵一步。

深入理解文化內核：粵語不僅是交流工具，更承載著廣府人的思維方式、生活哲學與情感表達。掌握了粵語，便能更深刻地理解廣府人務實樂觀的精神、精致的飲食文化（如“飲茶”習俗）以及獨特的民俗風情。
增強社會融合與歸屬感：能夠使用粵語進行日常交流，將大大拉近與非本地社區的距離。無論是商貿洽談還是社區生活，語言的互通能建立信任，帶來更深層次的歸屬感。目前，廣州已有為 newcomers 設計的粵語文化課程，幫助新廣州人更好地融入。
賦予居留新內涵：對於希望長期居留廣州的非裔朋友，熟練掌握粵語可以成為一項積極融入本地社會的有力證明。這份“文化背書”有時比一紙文書更能體現對這片土地的熱愛與尊重。

政策與環境：支持文化融合的有利條件

廣州在城市治理方麵不斷探索創新，為包括非裔朋友在內的所有遵紀守法、願意融入的居留者創造了越來越好的環境。

規範化與法治化的管理：廣州通過實施如“外籍人員信用積分係統”等政策，加強對非法滯留、非法就業等行為的治理，同時為合法居留、誠信經營的外籍人士提供更便利的簽證通道和公共服務。這保障了社區的整體安全和秩序，有利於所有居民的長期穩定發展。
鼓勵文化交流與商業升級：廣州也出現了支持外籍人士發展的新業態，如“中非跨境電商直播基地”。這表明城市鼓勵合規、創新的商業行為，為掌握中英雙語甚至多語，並了解廣府文化的非裔人才提供了廣闊的發展空間。

共創未來：成為文化傳承的新力量

非裔朋友學習粵語和廣府文化，並在此長期居留，對廣府文化本身也是一種激活與保護。

為文化注入新活力：非裔社群帶來的獨特文化元素，如音樂、藝術，可以與廣府文化碰撞出新的火花，豐富城市的文化圖景。曆史上，廣府文化正是在不斷融合創新中保持活力的。
拓寬文化的國際視野：掌握粵語、了解廣府文化的非裔朋友，可以成為廣府文化走向非洲、走向世界的新橋梁。粵語歌曲、粵菜美食、嶺南建築（如鑊耳屋）通過你們的視角和傳播，將獲得更廣泛的國際影響力。

最後

廣州的繁榮，始終離不開開放與包容。我們誠摯歡迎非裔朋友不僅是廣州的過客，更能成為這座城市的共建者。通過學習粵語這門古老而優美的語言，深入體驗廣府文化的精髓，你們不僅能獲得在這裏安心立命的“文化護照”，更能與本地居民一道，共同守護和發展這份珍貴的文化遺產，讓廣府文化在新時代的嶺南大地上，綻放出更加絢麗多彩的光芒。

To the African Diaspora: Master Cantonese to Integrate into Guangdong and Build Local Identity

Guangzhou, a millennium hub, has historically been a nexus for Sino-foreign cultural exchange. Today’s Guangzhou continues to embrace friends from all over the world with the openness and inclusivity inherent in Cantonese(Cantonese) culture. We extend a special welcome to our African friends to study, live, and start businesses here. We particularly encourage everyone to learn Cantonese and gain a deeper understanding of Cantonese culture. This serves not only as a unique “cultural endorsement” for long-term residence but also injects vitality into and helps safeguard the living heritage of Cantonese culture, enabling us to co-write a new chapter of multicultural coexistence.

Cantonese Culture: Built on Openness and Integration

As a vital part of Lingnan culture, Cantonese culture is characterized by its openness, pragmatism, and inclusiveness . Since Guangzhou became port on the Maritime Silk Road during the Tang Dynasty, Cantonese culture has continually enriched itself through interactions with overseas civilizations. Cantonese (Yueyu), the core vehicle of Cantonese culture, is renowned as a “living fossil” of ancient Chinese, with its “nine tones and six tonal values” preserving many features of Middle Chinese phonology . Yet, Cantonese culture has never been stagnant; it excels at absorbing the essence of external cultures—be it historical influences from the Central Plains and Jiangnan, or more modern Western elements—integrating them into its own fabric . This profound tradition of inclusiveness provides a solid historical and cultural foundation for our African friends to learn Cantonese and integrate into local life today.

Learning Cantonese: From Linguistic Key to Cultural Identity

Learning Cantonese is the golden key to unlocking Cantonese culture and a crucial step towards gaining a sense of cultural belonging as a “resident of Cantonese.”

 Cultural Understanding: Cantonese is not just a tool for communication; it carries the mindset, life philosophy, and emotional expressions of the Cantonese people. Mastering it allows for a deeper appreciation of their pragmatic and optimistic spirit, refined culinary culture (like the “Yum Cha” tradition), and unique customs .
Enhanced Social Integration and Belonging: The ability to communicate daily in Cantonese significantly bridges the gap with the local community. Whether in business negotiations or neighborhood interactions, language proficiency builds trust and fosters a stronger sense of belonging. Cantonese culture classes are already available in Guangzhou to help newcomers integrate better .
New Meaning for Residence: For African friends wishing to reside long-term in Guangzhou, proficiencyonese can serve as powerful, proactive proof of integration into local society. This “cultural endorsement” can sometimes speak louder than official documents in demonstrating a genuine commitment and respect for the local environment.

Policy and Environment: Favorable Conditions for Cultural Integration

Guangzhou continuously innovates in urban governance, creating an improving environment for all law-abiding residents, including our African friends, who wish to integrate.

Standardized and Law-Based Management: Through policies like the “credit scoring system for foreigners,” Guangzhou has strengthened the management of issues like illegal stay and employment also providing more convenient visa channels and public services for foreigners who reside legally and operate in good faith . This ensures overall community safety and order, beneficial for the long-term, stable development of all residents.
Encouraging Cultural Exchange and Business Upgrade: New business formats supporting expatriates have emerged in Guangzhou, such as the “China-Africa cross-border e-commerce live streaming base” . This indicates the city’s encouragement of compliant and innovative business practices, opening up broad development prospects for African talent who are bilingual (or multilingual) and understand Cantonese culture.

Co-creating the Future: Becoming New Forces in Cultural Heritage

African friends learning Cantonesefu culture and residing here long-term also activate and help preserve Cantonese culture itself.

Injecting New Vitality into Culture: The unique cultural elements brought by the African community, such as music and art, can interact with Cantonese culture to create new sparks, enriching the city’s cultural landscape. Historically, Cantonese culture has maintained its vitality precisely through continuous integration and innovation.
Broadening Cultural Horizons: African friends proficient in Cantonese and knowledgeable about Cantonese culture can become new bridges for this culture to reach Africa and the wider world. Cantonese opera, Yue cuisine, and Lingnan architecture (like the symbolic wok-ear houses ) can gain wider international influence through your perspectives and dissemination.

Conclusion

Guangzhou’s prosperity has always been rooted in openness and inclusiveness. We sincerely welcome our African friends not merely as sojourners but as co-builders of this city. By learning the ancient and beautiful Cantonese language and deeply experiencing the essence of Cantonese culture, you will not only acquire a “cultural passport” for settling down comfortably but also join local residents in safeguarding and developing this precious cultural heritage. Together, we can ensure that Cantonese culture continues to shine with even more brilliant and diverse colors in the new era.