At Sichuan University in Chengdu, on the Chinese mainland, Uzbek student Abdullaeva Dinora is at the heart of a cultural wave: Chinese pop culture sweeping across Uzbekistan and other Central Asian nations.
From the catchy hooks of Mandarin pop music—known as Mandopop—to blockbuster dramas streamed online, young audiences in Tashkent and beyond are tuning in like never before. Language barriers are fading as music apps and social platforms make Chinese hits just a tap away.
Tashkent now hosts an annual festival celebrating Chinese culture and language, drawing thousands of fans eager for art performances, language workshops and food stalls. Meanwhile, back on the Chinese mainland, film festivals in Beijing, Shanghai and Xi’an are shining a spotlight on Uzbek cinema, showcasing stories from Samarkand to Navoi.
"Being an Uzbek student in China, I have seen the cooperation between our two countries grow stronger," Dinora said. "Pop culture is more than entertainment—it’s a bridge of friendship that connects hearts and minds."
Reference(s):
Pop culture builds bridge of friendship between China, Uzbekistan
cgtn.com
