China-Tajikistan Ties: Tajik students in China enjoy benefits of enhanced bilateral ties

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02:24

The Chinese and Tajik governments have been working closely, enhancing ties. Chinese President Xi Jinping has previously called for a focus on increasing people-to-people exchanges and education is a key part of that. Tajik students who have studied in China say they are experiencing the benefits. CGTN's Michal Bardavid has the details.

Over three thousand students from Tajikistan are currently studying in China. Many of them later return home to use their knowledge and experience from China in the workforce in Tajikistan.

Iskandar Ikrami is a Tajik citizen who studied in Beijing. Upon his return home, he opened two coffee shops in the capital Dushanbe.

ISKANDAR IKRAMI MAZZA CAFE OWNER "China is a big and rich cultural country so that's why I decided to learn Chinese, and then I discovered that there are a lot of opportunities even between Tajikistan and China, so that's why I chose China as a country where I can learn their language and their culture."

Ikrami tries to create an atmosphere of cultural exchange within his coffee shops. The bookshelf is offered as a small library for customers to freely drop and take books as they like. Many young Tajiks gather at this coffee shop not only to socialize but to work as well.

MICHAL BARDAVID DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN "This branch of Ikrami's coffee shop is called Mazza gallery, here artists are allowed to exhibit their work for free and the art is sold to customers without any commission for the café, all in the name of supporting young artists."

Farangis Isamova also studied in China, in the city of Dalian, she says she was most impressed with the attitude of Chinese citizens towards foreigners.

FARANGIS ISAMOVA BUSINESSWOMAN "I would really advise people to study as a student in China. It is an incredibly friendly country. If you compare it with the US or Europe, Chinese people love foreigners so much, they want to meet you, to speak with you."

As business cooperation between the two countries increases, many Chinese corporations are opting to open offices in Tajikistan. Tajiks who studied in China, experienced the culture and have learned the language find it opens doors for them during their future employments in Tajikistan. Michal Bardavid, CGTN, Dushanbe.