Professor Cho Sung-hye teaches Korean in Hefei University. (Photo/Anhuinews.com)
If ever an Asian woman could provide a bridge of friendship and exchanges between China and South Korea, it is Professor Cho Sung-hye, a Korean teacher who has been working in Hefei City, capital of central China's Anhui Province, for nearly 20 years. [Special coverage]
Since 1996 when she first came to Hefei University with her husband, Professor Cho has been serving as a folk ambassador for education. She has helped to build three "Hope Primary Schools" for poor students in remote areas in Anhui. In 2013, she donated 200,000 yuan (U.S.$31,320) to the Sunshine Primary School in Chenji Town of Hefei.
Professor Cho has been invited to attend the Sept. 3 V-Day parade in Beijing.
"I feel honored to be invited to attend the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. After the efforts of generations, we have entered a golden age of peace and development. We should learn from history, keep away from war and cherish the hard-won peaceful times," said Professor Cho.
President of South Korea Park Geun-hye will pay a visit to Beijing from Sept. 2 to 4 and attend China's V-Day commemoration.
"I have been living in China for nearly 20 years and I have witnessed China's transformation and development. China's progress is encouraging and I see China as my second home," she added.
Professor Cho won the National Friendship Award in 2002, the first Korean to be awarded the prize in China. She was also the first Korean to get permanent residence in China. In 2014, she was awarded the "My Favorite Teacher" title by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.
"I love China. I hope to do my best to promote exchanges between China and South Korea. I would like to serve as a friendship ambassador for the two nations. It is my honor and my destiny," she said.
