A nexus of travel, education and bilateral relations

As Central Asia emerges as a new hot spot for Chinese tourists, a reciprocal surge of curiosity toward China is flourishing among Central Asian people. Bolstered by the visa-free policy, more tourists from the region are flocking to China, and an increasing number of its young people are taking up Chinese-language studies and seizing opportunities for education and careers in China.

Ardak Akymhan, a longtime resident of Almaty in Kazakhstan who is from Hami, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, has noticed the increasing curiosity about China among local Kazakhs.

"Many of my (Kazakh) friends have expressed an interest in visiting China," she said. "They want to experience Hainan's island atmosphere, tour Beijing's Forbidden City and explore the cityscapes of Guangzhou and Shanghai.

"With the new visa-free policy, I think more and more people will travel to China."

The numbers bear her out — Kazakhstan is now the top source of tourists to Xinjiang, with a staggering year-on-year increase of 886.75 percent, People's Daily reported.

For young people in Central Asia, China is more than a travel destination — it is a promising option for education and career opportunities. From 2010 to 2018, the number of Central Asian students in China grew at an average annual rate of 12.33 percent, making China a leading destination for students from the region, according to statistics on China.org.cn.

Qian Shihao, 29, an analyst from Shanghai, observed this during his 15-day journey to Central Asia.

"In Uzbekistan, I met many young people brimming with curiosity about China. They asked me many questions about China, such as whether learning Chinese would help them get a job or what they should do if they want to study or work in China," Qian said.

"These young people, about 18 or 19 years old, are at a pivotal juncture, deciding whether to work abroad and where to go. Among their top choices, including Russia, the United States and China, the latter is becoming an increasingly alluring destination."

Qian said this curiosity has sparked enthusiasm for learning Chinese, but there was a lack of local learning resources to support such endeavors. He hopes that both official and unofficial initiatives can bridge this gap to foster mutual understanding.

In recent years, there has been a surge in initiatives aimed at fostering closer ties between the youth of Central Asia and China. There are 13 Confucius Institutes across Central Asia, and many Chinese universities are partnering with their counterparts in the region.

For example, East Kazakhstan Technical University has collaborated with Tianjin Vocational Institute to set up a Luban Workshop — a platform for hands-on learning and technical skill development. Similarly, the establishment of a branch of Xi'an's Northwestern Polytechnical University at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty exemplifies the deepening academic ties between China and Central Asia.

Joint commitment

In Uzbekistan, China has provided strong support for the establishment and construction of the "Silk Road" International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, symbolizing a joint commitment to nurturing educational opportunities and preserving the rich heritage of the ancient Silk Road.

Zou Tongqian, director of the China Academy of Culture and Tourism at Beijing International Studies University, now serves as the first Chinese vice-rector of the "Silk Road" International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Samarkand, southeastern Uzbekistan.

He said the initiative to open the university was proposed by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the 2018 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Qingdao, Shandong province.

"The president said Central Asia has rich tourism resources, and developing the tourism industry can promote economic development and cultural exchange in the region," Zou said.

Since moving to Samarkand in 2022, Zou has witnessed firsthand the local emphasis on the Chinese tourism market and the benefits of increased exchanges for bilateral relations. "Uzbekistan is seeking ways to attract Chinese tourists," he said.

The local government plans to send guides to China for training and invite Chinese guides to impart their expertise in Uzbekistan, thereby equipping local Chinese-speaking guides with a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and tourist preferences, he said.

"Many of our university's teachers have taken part in tourism-related training in China. Starting this September, all students must learn Chinese, which is unprecedented."

After visiting China or interacting with Chinese people, many locals have gained a deeper understanding of China, he said.

"For example, our university's teachers were deeply impressed after a training trip to Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an last year. They were amazed by Shanghai's development and found Xi'an's tourism practices worth learning from.

"As Central Asia and China continue to build bridges through tourism and education, the mutual curiosity and understanding promise closer ties and shared prosperity."