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HAIKOU, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) — "Your Chinese is excellent," praised the local vendor selling rice noodles at a restaurant in China's Hainan Province. 

Marian Deborah Rosenberg, a 42-year-old American, took a bowl of Hainan rice noodles and picked up the chopsticks, enjoying the meal wholeheartedly.

Marian Deborah Rosenberg has breakfast at a restaurant in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 7, 2023. [Xinhua/Fan Yuqing]

Rosenberg likes reading and is passionate about history. At 16, she entered university. Unfortunately, at 19, an accident left her right leg disabled. In 2002, fresh out of college, she came to China and was captivated by the Chinese culture. After researching extensively, she selected the surname of Yue Fei, a southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) military commander. Rosenberg's friends often call her "Meigui" (rose in Chinese), so she decided her Chinese name would be Yue Meigui.

Marian Deborah Rosenberg takes a rest during a cycling trip in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

In 2004, drawn to the sea and warm weather, Rosenberg moved to China's island province Hainan. 

"I fell in love with this place instantly," said Rosenberg.

In Hainan, Rosenberg leads a dynamic life with multiple roles - a cycling enthusiast, a translator, and a social media content creator.

Marian Deborah Rosenberg works at a coffee shop in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 7, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

Marian Deborah Rosenberg rides a bike in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

Marian Deborah Rosenberg records a video during a cycling break in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

In 2008, a lighthearted conversation among friends sparked an unbelievable journey for Rosenberg. Setting off from Hainan, she cycled for 77 days, arriving in Beijing to witness the grandeur of the Beijing Olympics.

Rosenberg's passion for cycling has persisted ever since. Nowadays, she plans two cycling trips annually, including a short trip during the Spring Festival holiday and a long-distance trip in the summer spanning three to four thousand kilometers. In 2023, she completed a long-distance ride from Haikou to Tianjin in north China.

Marian Deborah Rosenberg wears her sunglasses before cycling in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

Marian Deborah Rosenberg takes a break while cycling in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

Marian Deborah Rosenberg inflates the bike tire before cycling in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

Marian Deborah Rosenberg rides a bike in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

Rosenberg enjoys exploring funny places during her cycling journeys. She shares stories with the locals, shoots videos, and through this method, continuously deepens her understanding of Chinese culture.

Marian Deborah Rosenberg talks with the locals during her cycling tour in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Fan Yuqing]

Marian Deborah Rosenberg (2nd L) rides along with cycling enthusiasts she meets on the way in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Fan Yuqing]

Marian Deborah Rosenberg videos at a mobile coffee shop in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Fan Yuqing]

Drinking coffee is one of Rosenberg's great passions during her cycling journeys. A custom-made handlebar bag hangs on her bike, holding a complete set of tools for making coffee. When she feels weary during her ride, she relaxes with a cup of coffee and enjoys the scenery.

Marian Deborah Rosenberg moves her bicycle to the beach before making coffee in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Fan Yuqing]

Marian Deborah Rosenberg makes coffee at a beach in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

Today, Rosenberg works as a translator. Her career in this field could also trace back to her passion for cycling.

In 2006, while studying Chinese at Hainan University, Rosenberg got a chance to work as a translator during the Tour of Hainan Cycling Race. 

Marian Deborah Rosenberg thumbs a book she translated about Tour of Hainan Cycling Race in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 8, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

Starting with sports and tourism-related translations, Rosenberg gradually accumulated a wealth of translation experience. She was invited to translate and proofread local road signs and guide boards within scenic areas in Hainan.

Marian Deborah Rosenberg looks at a guide board she translated at Haikou Renmin Park in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 13, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

When Rosenberg goes cycling and sees bilingual signs, she often involuntarily proofreads them and uses this content to create short videos. These videos are shared on her social media accounts for people to learn translation. Additionally, Rosenberg translates book manuscripts as part of her work.

Marian Deborah Rosenberg works at a coffee shop in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 7, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

Rosenberg has lived in Hainan for nearly 20 years. She has gradually become a bridge of communication between foreigners living in Hainan and the locals. 

Within the online community "Hainan Foreigners," established by Rosenberg, people can find a wealth of interesting information about local activities, news, and cycling experiences shared by her. It allows more and more foreigners to gain insight into Hainan's culture.

Marian Deborah Rosenberg (R) talks with her friend Jake Canning at Canning's shop in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 8, 2023. Canning came to Hainan six years ago. He worked for about five years in the media sector, traveling around the island province to take photos and shoot videos. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

This aerial photo taken on Dec. 14, 2023 shows Marian Deborah Rosenberg cycling in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun]

Producers: Wang Jianhua, Liu Changlin

Coordinators: Wang Huiyu, Wang Qingqin, Meng Chenguang

Photographers: Zhang Liyun, Fan Yuqing, Hong Liang

Visual Designers: Chen Shuo, Mu Wenchun

Video Editor: Zhou Dixiao

Editors: Hu Zhixuan

China Story Studio

(Source: Xinhua)