Traditional Chinese medicine student from Indonesia experiences Sichuan Opera

An Indonesian student studying traditional Chinese medicine in Chengdu City of southwest China's Sichuan Province has lately been offered a chance to perform Sichuan Opera on the stage with professional actors.

Born in an overseas Chinese family that has been in Sumatra, Indonesia for five generations, Marissa, or Hong Wanqing in Chinese, majors in acupuncture at the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Sichuan.

Ahead of the Spring Festival, which fell on Jan 29 this year, Marissa went to the Chengdu Sichuan Opera Research Institute through a friend's introduction, where she put on exquisite makeup and theatrical costume for the first time in her life and played the white snake in The Legend of the White Snake with professional Sichuan Opera actors.

"This is my first time to put on this makeup. I think it looks good, and very different from myself. As this year is the Year of the Snake, I plan to play a role in the Sichuan Opera The Legend of the White Snake," Marissa said.

Having been in China for eight years, Marissa said she became attracted by Sichuan Opera five years ago.

"In fact, I had already watched Sichuan Opera before I came to Chengdu. There are hot pot restaurants in Indonesia, and one restaurant staged a Sichuan Opera face-changing show. I loved it, because I thought it was magical, and wondered how they switched masks so swiftly one after another. And then I came here to Chengdu, where there are many face-changing, lantern rolling and other traditional performances, as well as Sichuan Opera dramas like the Legend of the White Snake I performed today. I'm very interested and enjoy watching them very much," Marissa said.

Now a graduate student, Marissa said she chose to study traditional Chinese medicine in 2018 because her family values Chinese dietary therapy since she was a child.

She has also experienced the amazing effects of acupuncture herself. During middle school years, she received acupuncture treatment for cervical spondylosis, which worked quickly with no side effect.

Marissa also learned that acupuncture is a national-level intangible cultural heritage in China, which has been inscribed by the UNESCO on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. So, she decided to study acupuncture in China.

"I think traditional Chinese medicine is not only a science, but also a philosophy and a life attitude. It pursues the unity of heaven and human, both consisting of Yin, Yang and five elements. While the Sichuan Opera pursues harmony and inclusiveness. They are very similar. For me, the learning process is more of a process carrying forward culture and cultural exchanges. After obtaining my master's degree, I will go back to Indonesia and open my own clinic. My goal is to promote traditional Chinese medicine that I have learned to Indonesian people, because it is really amazing and must be passed on to future generations," Marissa said.

Traditional Chinese medicine student from Indonesia experiences Sichuan Opera

Traditional Chinese medicine student from Indonesia experiences Sichuan Opera

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests