Generation Z "Belarusian International Students: Willing to Be a Bridge of Friendship for the Exchange of Young People between Belarus and China

Recently, Belarusian student Ekaterina Kaligaeva released a short video on social media to share her experience of local tea culture and ethnic customs in Malipo County, Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province. I hope to build a bridge of friendship between Belarusian and Chinese youth through my own experience, and attract more Belarusian youth to experience a real and three-dimensional China, "she said.

According to China News Agency, Su Xiaoxiao, 24 years old, comes from Minsk, Belarus and is currently a graduate student at the Yanjing School of Peking University. This lively and outgoing 'Generation Z' girl was born into a family with an 'international' language, and her parents are proficient in multiple foreign languages. Nine years ago, with the encouragement of her parents, she entered the Confucius Institute to study Chinese, and her wonderful bond with China began.

With the deepening of Chinese language learning, Su Xiaoxiao began to be fascinated by traditional Chinese culture and clothing such as calligraphy, crosstalk, and qipao. In 2017, she won the championship of the Belarusian Chinese Bridge Competition and represented Belarus in the World Chinese Bridge Competition held in Hunan, China.

Before coming to China, she outlined a hazy picture in her mind, "China is a 'country of pandas', where everyone knows kung fu." Starting from Chinese, she had a dream - to study at the top universities in China.

In 2018, Su Xiaoxiao arrived at the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University as expected, moving towards the goal of becoming an international journalist. Over the past four years, she continuously stepped onto a broader stage, organized youth cultural exchange activities between Belarus and China, participated in educational exhibitions between the two countries, participated in short video competitions, and performed cross talk. While gaining growth, she also adds strength to building a bridge of friendship between the youth of the two countries.

"In Tsinghua Park, I met friends from all over the world, and felt China's multiculturalism and inclusiveness. Whenever I encountered difficulties in life and schoolwork, teachers and students would help me. In the face of the difficult moments of the COVID-19 epidemic, the care and encouragement of friends also made me feel warm." From the details of life, Su Xiaoxiao's view of China became vivid and fresh, Now, this can be said to be my second hometown

In Beijing, the political, cultural, and international hub of China, Su Xiaoxiao felt the efficient and convenient "Chinese speed" from mobile payments, e-commerce online shopping, and developed transportation networks. As her footsteps spread throughout the country, she saw a more authentic, diverse, open, and inclusive China.

At the end of April, Su Xiaoxiao came to Yunnan, the southwest border of China, for the fourth time. "The warm climate, unique natural scenery, and rich and diverse ethnic cultures make me linger and forget to return." In Malipo County, the border between China and Vietnam, she put on traditional Yao costumes for the first time, walked into the ancient tea garden, picked, made, and tasted tea with friends of all ethnic groups, and understood the history of China's tea culture for thousands of years.

As a short video blogger, she often shares language and cultural knowledge and experiences in China on social media, telling stories about Belarus and China in a way that young people prefer. This time, she also let more tea culture lovers in the world see the good tea from the mountains of Yunnan through short videos.

The year 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the "the Belt and Road" initiative. Su Xiaoxiao said, "Not only I, but also many Belarusian youth are concerned about and understand the practical benefits it brings." She saw that through the "the Belt and Road" initiative, Belarus and China have carried out broader cooperation in economy, culture, trade and other aspects, creating opportunities and providing jobs for Belarusian youth.

In the near future, Su Xiaoxiao will return to Belarus to organize the "the Belt and Road" speech contest to promote cultural exchanges between the two countries and enhance friendship between young people through activities. In the future, I hope to bring back the knowledge I have learned in China to my country, and I also look forward to standing on the international diplomatic stage and contributing to consolidating the friendship between Belarus and China, "she said.