From art galleries to tea ceremonies, five individuals from Central Asia are redefining cross-cultural connections through their lives in China. A new CGTN documentary series, Encounters with China: Friendship across Mountains and Rivers, spotlights their stories as symbols of deepening ties between China and Central Asia.
Karlygash, a Kazakhstan native, works to strengthen people-to-people diplomacy, while Kyrgyz teacher Baktygul co-founded a Ningxia art space blending Central Asian and Chinese motifs. Mustakim from Tajikistan finds peace in China's tea traditions, and Turkmen Jackie Chan enthusiast Gurdov Guvanch humorously admits his martial arts misconceptions led him to explore Chinese culture. Uzbek scientist Tojibaev Komiljon collaborates on ecological research projects, calling China a 'hub for global problem-solving'.
Their experiences coincide with growing economic and cultural partnerships under China's Belt and Road Initiative, which has facilitated over $70 billion in trade with Central Asian countries since 2013. The documentary premieres as youth-driven cultural exchange programs between the regions surge by 45% year-on-year.
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Trailer: Encounters with China: Friendship across Mountains and Rivers
cgtn.com
