This year marks the Twenty-First anniversary of the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Since 2006, member states have been operating under an agreement that promotes educational exchanges within the organization. Our reporter spoke with several students who are taking advantage of cross-border cooperation. 

Aizirek and Shakhzod have lived and studied in Shanghai for more than five years. Aizirek is from Kyrgyzstan. And Shakhzod comes from Uzbekistan. Both of them say they've known about China from a young age.

MASHANLO SHAKHZOD, Postgraduate Student, Shanghai International Studies University "From my childhood, my father has been a translator from Chinese to Uzbek and Russian. So I often see and go to his work, see Chinese peoples, and see how they are working together. And for me, there is no culture shock, when I came, I feel really natural and it was really nice."

RYSBAI KYZY AIZIREK, Postgraduate Student, Shanghai International Studies University "When I was a child, every day I watch Chinese films, Jackie Chan's film, after that, because I love Jackie Chan, I came to China."

Shakhzod says the convenience of e-commerce platforms impresses him the most. And Aizirek says she is attracted to all the conveniences and opportunities Shanghai has to offer. As international relations students, both of them already have a plan for the future.

MASHANLO SHAKHZOD, Postgraduate Student, Shanghai International Studies University "It's simple but it's somewhat important. I want to come back to Uzbekistan and share my experience about life in China and develop relation between Uzbekistan and China."

RYSBAI KYZY AIZIREK, Postgraduate Student, Shanghai International Studies University "It's my second hometown, Shanghai, and I love Shanghai because I love Shanghai food, it's kind of sweet. And in future, I want to stay in Shanghai. I don't know, do some business with Kyrgyzstan."

Under the "Agreement on Educational Cooperation among the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States" signed in 2006, countries within the SCO have deepened cooperation and academic exchange.

WANG SIWEN Shanghai "Cooperation is expanding in the education sector. More students from SCO member countries come to study in China, and more Chinese students get interested in studying Central Asian languages."

Jingxuan is one of many pupils studying Central Asian languages.

WANG JINGXUAN, Undergraduate Student, Shanghai International Studies University "When I learn Kazakh, I feel that Kazakhstan is a very dynamic country. For me, since I prefer learning languages, I enjoy communicating with foreign teachers. I want to teach Chinese in Kazakhstan, perhaps teaching at a Confucius Institute abroad."

Jingxuan says she hopes more of her friends will learn central Asian languages and the cultures they're apart of. WSW, CGTN, SH.