DUSHANBE, 18.06.2025 (NIAT Khovar) – Xia Ran, a 40-year-old Chinese scholar, has devoted nearly two decades to promoting cultural understanding between China and Tajikistan, Xinhua News Agency wrote.

Xia first came to Tajikistan in 2006 for professional reasons and has since developed a lasting connection with the country. He currently teaches at the Confucius Institute at Tajik National University, is a Ph.D. candidate in history, and has translated several books focused on China-Tajikistan cultural relations. He also manages a popular blog with over 50,000 subscribers, sharing insights into the shared heritage and historical links between the two nations.

«Over the years, I’ve observed that Chinese people know relatively little about Tajikistan, and similarly, Tajiks need to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture and history,» Xia told Xinhua. «I believe it is both necessary and meaningful to build a cultural bridge between our two countries.»

Xia dedicates most of his spare time to collecting, translating, and compiling classical works from both countries, while actively participating in various exchange and academic initiatives. He views his work as a personal mission to strengthen China-Tajikistan friendship through deeper cultural engagement.

According to Xinhua, Xia’s contributions reflect the growing interest in enhancing people-to-people ties under the broader framework of bilateral cooperation.