China-Tajikistan Ties: Tajik students learn about China and make friends at Shandong University

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People-to-people exchanges are one of the key areas of cooperation among members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. At Shandong University's Qingdao Campus, two students from Tajikistan have gained a better understanding about China, and deepened their friendship with Chinese people. Cui Hui'ao tells us more.

Tajikistan is one of many countries that border China. Yet, most Chinese know little about these Central Asian neighbors.

JURAEV HUDOINAZAR, GRADUATE STUDENT SHANDONG UNIVERSITY QINGDAO CAMPUS "When I first came here I told my Chinese classmates I am from Tajikistan. A lot of them had no idea where it is."

For Nazar and Samander, both from Tajikistan, they, in turn, did not know much about China beyond Jackie Chan and Jet Li. It was only until they started to learn Chinese at the Confucius Institute and became graduate students in China that they began to learn more about the rich history of the world's largest country.

QURBONOV SAMANDAR, GRADUATE STUDENT SHANDONG UNIVERSITY QINGDAO CAMPUS "We both applied for scholarships to study at a graduate school in China. We ended up in a three-year program here on international relations. I gave myself a Chinese name called He Ping as it means peace in Chinese."

JURAEV HUDOINAZAR, GRADUATE STUDENT SHANDONG UNIVERSITY QINGDAO CAMPUS "I really like the concept of junzi in traditional Chinese philosophy. Being a decent person precedes being a good father and a good citizen."

Both Nazar and Samander mingled well with their Chinese classmates. For example one way of deepening friendship is through football.

LIU HAO, GRADUATE STUDENT SHANDONG UNIVERSITY QINGDAO CAMPUS "We've been playing together for half a semester. They are very good at football. And they are both very outgoing and modest."

WANG XIANGYU, GRADUATE STUDENT SHANDONG UNIVERSITY QINGDAO CAMPUS "They teach us about Tajikistan culture. For example, their biggest festival Navruz, their language and political system."

Asked about their future goals, both of them say they want to become diplomats, taking advantage of the booming bilateral relations and applying what they've learned here to their home country.

QURBONOV SAMANDAR, GRADUATE STUDENT SHANDONG UNIVERSITY QINGDAO CAMPUS "Many Chinese companies have set up factories in my country. We also import a lot of goods from China like clothing. Tajikistan has rich natural resources like gold and minerals, yet we lack production capabilities and high technology. That, in my opinion, is something we need to learn from China."

CUI HUI'AO QINGDAO, SHANDONG PROVINCE Just like Nazar and Samandar have deepened their relations with other Chinese students in college, the two countries are also strengthening exchanges and cooperation with each other. As President Xi Jinping says SCO members should continue to increase understanding between people and foster enduring friendship. Cui Hui'ao, CGTN, Qingdao, Shandong Province.