China continues to grow closer with its partner countries under the Belt and Road Initiative, including those in Europe. That has attracted foreign nationals who come to live in China and take advantage of the business opportunities. Xu Xinchen reports.

Waking up early, maneuvering on Chinese roads especially on rainy days, And getting into tight spots if necessary. Ekaterina Nazarova is running her business thousands of kilometers away from her home country.

EKATERINA NAZAROVA, CHINA REPRESENTATIVE SIBERIA GROUP COMPANY "The first challenge was the language. Then, I found that doing business in China is quite different from my home country. For example, when we are bargaining in Russia, we say 10% off, but in China, people say it the other way around — 90% of the original price."

Born in Russia, Ekaterina is now living in Suifenhe in northeast China — the country's largest distribution center for Russian wood imports.

XU XINCHEN SUIFENHE, HEILONGJIANG PROVINCE "Since Ekaterina joined the Russian wood exporter's China office in 2012, business has increased 30-fold. But Ekaterina says the rapid growth did not come until 2015 — the year when the two nations leaders agreed to boost all-around cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative."

From less than 20 trains cargo a month to 600, Ekaterina's office took in about 7 million US dollars last year.

EKATERINA NAZAROVA, CHINA REPRESENTATIVE SIBERIA GROUP COMPANY "The Belt and Road Initiative can solve many problems including delivery speed and reducing transportation costs."

Wood is one of the top imports China needs from its Belt and Road partners. While trains loaded with Chinese products travel along the Silk Road, often as far as Europe, trains return with piles and piles of Russian wood. And China's demand for imported wood is expected to grow 5 times by 2020 — boosting stronger trade ties between China and Russia. A positive sign encouraging Ekaterina to stay.

"So do you want to stay here in China?"

EKATERINA NAZAROVA, CHINA REPRESENTATIVE SIBERIA GROUP COMPANY "Of course, I want to stay. The quality of living is increasing quickly here and it's also really safe here."

Ekaterina has made many friends here — some of whom are also her business partners. She hopes that the Belt and Road can reach more cities in her home country so that her firm can bring in more quality wood, thus meeting China's rising demand.

Xu Xinchen, CGTN, Suifenhe, Heilongjiang Province.