Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
On November 8, 2025, the "Cultural Exchange and Development in Cyberspace" forum was held at the Wuzhen International Internet Expo Center in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province, as part of the Wuzhen Summit of the World Internet Conference 2025. Participants discussed how, guided by the Global Civilization Initiative, dialogue among civilizations can be fostered through cyberspace to invigorate the building of a more open and inclusive community of shared destiny in cyberspace in the digital age.
Pictured: Ekaterina Kaligaeva, winner of the "Chinese Language Bridge" competition in Belarus, blogger, and presenter, speaks at a roundtable discussion. Photographer: Zheng Wei, a journalist with the website "Zhongwang."
During the roundtable discussion, Ekaterina Kaligaeva (Chinese name Su Xiaoxiao), winner of the "Chinese Language Bridge" competition in Belarus, content creator, and presenter, shared her five years of experience in intercultural communications. She noted that an effective way to promote international communication is by telling Chinese stories in a format accessible to foreign audiences, through genuine interactions and from a first-person perspective. She believes that authenticity resonates more deeply with foreign audiences than flawless production, allowing the world to see a China distinct from the image portrayed in Western media.
Ekaterina Kaligaeva explained that over the course of five years, she has visited every province in China. Through her media channel and in collaboration with local and international media, she introduces foreign audiences to Chinese cuisine, landmarks, and culture under the theme "Traveling in China." She has noticed that foreign viewers prefer an authentic and natural delivery. Even when her Chinese isn't perfect, or there are slight hiccups during interviews, this only enhances the content's appeal. For example, while filming a documentary about poverty alleviation, real-life scenes such as cooking and interacting with villagers in their homes, or dancing with old ladies in public squares, allowed foreign audiences to see the authentic lives of ordinary Chinese.
She particularly highlighted Chongqing's successful international communications, calling it one of the most effective this year. Short 15-second videos featuring night views of Hongyadong, river cruises, and other scenes, despite their simplicity and even some shaky footage, struck a chord with foreign viewers: "China is so cool!" These videos have garnered hundreds of millions and even billions of views, attracting numerous foreign tourists to Chongqing. This approach, which avoids glamorous special effects and instead showcases real scenes, has yielded unexpectedly positive results.
During events celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Belarus, Ekaterina Kaligaeva showed scenes of young people from both countries baking cakes, discussing music, and learning each other's languages, allowing viewers to experience the cultural commonalities between the two countries. In a video about China's intangible cultural heritage, footage of her wrapping zongzi and letting rice spill out sparked interest among international viewers. This not only helped spread awareness of the Dragon Boat Festival but also sparked curiosity about Chinese cuisine.
Ekaterina Kaligaeva concluded that authenticity and interactivity are key to telling a truthful and engaging story about China online. Real-life situations and live interactions help overcome cultural barriers, allowing the world to see a more complete and multifaceted China.
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