In today’s post we are meeting Jiaxin Xu. Jiaxin is a doctoral researcher in entrepreneurship and has been at Hanken School of Economics since 2024, but has been living in Finland for five years. She is from Yangzhou, a city in East China famous for its classical Chinese gardens, Huaiyang cuisine, and traditional Chinese handcrafts such as jade carving.
What is your favourite tradition from China?
The moon festival is one of my favourite traditions. It comes on the full-moon of mid-autumn when the moon is at the its brightest and round like a symbol of reunion (Chinese: 团圆). It feels so cozy and warm when families gather together that evening to enjoy mooncakes, chat things small and large while admiring the full moon. I also enjoy browsing classical Chinese poetry about the moon festival in the evening, and it somehow gently reminds me to live poetically.
What surprised you the most with Finland?
What surprised me most about Finland was how raw and untouched the nature feels, especially compared to my hometown Yangzhou, where much of the scenery is carefully curated, such as classical Chinese gardens and pavilions. I find the unpolished forests and lakes here surprisingly soothing for my mind and well-being.
Can you share your favourite recipe from China?
My most recent favourite is vine pepper fish with celtuce. It’s a traditional Sichuan cuisine. The concept is simple: use blackfish or grass carp, sliced thinly, and marinate with egg white and cornstarch to keep the fish silky, then combine with slices of crunchy celtuce and Sichuan green peppercorns, cook the fish over low heat until just done, and then drizzle with hot oil to release its fragrant aroma. It’s fresh and tender, with a slight numbing tingle on the tongue, and that’s what makes the dish addictive.
If you had to give us one reason why to visit China, what would it be?
China offers a journey through time and nature, where centuries of culture meet the stunning beauty of mountains, rivers, and open landscapes, and of course, the diverse food culture from all corners of the country.
Tell us one artist from China that we have to listen to
I warmly recommend Beyond, a legendary rock band from Hong Kong. They were hugely influential in the 80s and 90s and are still loved today for their timeless melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Their songs are in Cantonese and mostly about life, dreams and justice. For me, Cantonese songs carry a sense of culture and nostalgia, which makes them feel even more special. My favourite ones by them are No More Hesitation (an uplifting song about following your heart, and not letting fear hold you back) and Glorious Years (honoring Nelson Mandela for his pursuit of freedom and equality).
Is there something else you would like to share about China?
If, like me, you can’t resist tasty food, you have to watch Once Upon a Bite (Chinese: 风味人间), an amazing food documentary that shows the stories, culture, and landscapes behind every delicious bite of China.
