China and Tajikistan enjoy close cultural and people-to-people exchanges that are actively advancing through joint educational initiatives, said Jamshed Jurazoda, First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Tajikistan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Tajikistan from Thursday to Saturday.
During his talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Xi said the two countries should expand people-to-people and cultural cooperation in youth exchanges, media, think tanks, women's affairs and tourism.
According to Jurazoda, cooperation is being driven further as young citizens of the Central Asian country learn to speak Chinese.
"Today, these relations are expanding in several areas. One of the areas is the establishment of various centers, including the Confucius Institute, which today plays a significant role in promoting the Chinese language among the people of Tajikistan, showcasing and introducing Chinese culture and facilitating student and teacher exchanges between the two countries," he said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Tajikistan's capital of Duschanbe.
"One of the important areas of cooperation is the exchange of students, which takes place within the framework of various programs and projects. Today, more than 3,000 students are studying in the People's Republic of China in various fields,” he added.
The minister also highlighted a vocational education program that derives its name from legendary Chinese carpenter and architect Lu Ban, now with a branch in a school named for a renowned Tajik philosopher.
"One example of good cooperation is the establishment of the Luban Workshop at the Technical University of Tajikistan named after Muhammad Osimi in 2022. This allows students to become acquainted with advanced Chinese technology and, of course, to grow into skilled professionals in the field of technology," said the deputy minister.
Educational cooperation abounds between China, Tajikistan: vice minister
With over a million followers on social media, French influencer Greg is dedicated to showcasing modern life and culture in China, inviting viewers to experience the country firsthand.
Currently based in Shanghai, Greg leverages his platform to share everything from delectable Chinese cuisine to popular trends, often featuring creative videos such as "Living a day in Shanghai on 100 yuan" and "How many Chinese cities can you visit in a day?"
Greg's connection to China dates back 16 years to when he was a 25-year-old student at a university in France. As graduation approached, he had the opportunity to study abroad and chose China among various options. Upon arriving in China, he quickly envisioned a future in the country and became determined to secure a steady job.
His journey took a significant turn during the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, where he worked as a translator for several travel agencies. His outstanding performance during the event led to an opportunity with a multinational wine trading company, where he served as the marketing director.
"Being a foreigner who speaks Chinese opened up numerous job opportunities for me. Every day has felt like a new adventure. Each day has felt different, and I was discovering new things every day. Even now, in 2024, I still feel this way," he said.
Initially, Greg produced informative videos in his spare time while working in the wine industry. His strong desire for self-expression and creativity attracted a significant following, fueling his inspiration for more content.
"I focus on creating optimistic videos. Because in my mind, China is a place full of optimism and happiness. You can experience anything you want here. You just need to create your own opportunities. I really like this kind of life," he said.
In 2022, after 12 years in the wine industry, he transitioned to full-time content creation. This shift was motivated by his love for the profession and a realization he had during a visit to France two years prior, where he discovered a widespread lack of understanding about China.
"I often complain about how inconvenient things are in France. For example, every time I go out, I forget my wallet, but in China, we don't need a wallet. Everything can be done through our phones. When we want to go shopping in France, we have to line up at the checkout and take all the stuff back home all by ourselves. I told my French countrymates, 'You know what? In China, people can use apps to order takeout, and it can be delivered within half an hour,'" he said.
Greg has made it his mission to create videos that highlight the aspects of China he loves, sharing these stories with audiences in France and around the world.
"People in France like China a lot now because of the videos I post," he said proudly.
He also emphasizes the need for a real-life experience to truly understand China.
"Watching videos is not enough. You have to come and see for yourself. Five hundred videos are nothing when compared to spending just 24 hours in Shanghai. It's only when you experience that you'll truly understand what China is all about. I wholeheartedly invite everyone to visit China, and I hope my videos inspire them to do that," he said.
French influencer promotes China's allure through social media
