A Tajik family's bond with China

DUSHANBE — In her studio in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 76-year-old Musharrafa Sharipova gently unwraps a well-preserved painting, which vividly depicts legendary ancient Chinese heroine Mu Guiying.

A renowned figure in the legends of the generals of the Yang family during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), Mu is a famous cultural symbol in China, and an embodiment of courage, resolution, loyalty, and insightfulness.

Sharipova received the painting as a gift from her father in 1960 when she finished fourth grade. Then an official of the Communist Party of Tajikistan, her father had received the painting as part of an art collection donated by a visiting Chinese delegation in the 1950s.

"The painting is almost like a flag, suggesting that my destiny is closely connected with China," says Sharipova, former deputy chairman of the Tajik Society for Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries.

She and her family have maintained close bonds with China for four generations, from her father to her grandson.

Sharipova notes that the gifts from the delegation were a testament to her father's interactions with China, and planted the seed in her heart to carry on his work promoting friendship with China.

"The special affection our family has for China and our closeness to Chinese history and culture were established by my father. From a young age, I was influenced by him, and my bond with China took root in childhood," she says.

In 2003, she served as the chief editor of Friendship magazine, the quarterly publication of the Tajik Society for Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries.

The magazine has extensively covered China and has published several special issues on the country.

Between the 1990s and 2018, Sharipova visited China eight times and was able to see the country's rapid development.

"Every visit revealed new developments. The scale of construction and the architecture were astounding," she says. "Everywhere in China is developing in a visible manner."

She also regularly participates in activities held at Dushanbe's Confucius Institute, sharing her experiences in China with students, and encouraging them to learn Chinese culture.

Years of personal and professional interactions have also helped Sharipova develop close Chinese friends. "For me, the word 'China' holds immense significance," She says.

Every generation of the family has maintained a strong connection with China. Sharipova's son frequently interacts with Chinese companies as part of his logistics job. Her grandson, Sulton Sultonov, engages in cultural exchange with Chinese colleagues in advertising. Her great-niece, Niso Nozirova, a university student majoring in Chinese, is passionate about Chinese culture and music.

"China has always been a close topic, inspiring a profound interest in our family. Preserving these precious memories and continuing the good deeds of our family are essential," Sultonov says.

Sharipova's 14-year-old grandson, Amid Sharipov, is a tech enthusiast fascinated with artificial intelligence and new technology. Inspired by Chinese innovation, he dreams of studying at a Chinese university.

"China's progress amazes me, and many experts predict a new era of technology led by China," he says.

Sharipova intends to enroll her grandson in the Confucius Institute at the Tajik National University to learn Chinese in September.

"My grandmother's cooperation with China and numerous visits have solidified my desire to pursue a career in China. Realizing this dream would bring immense joy to my family and honor my great-grandfather's legacy," says the 14-year-old.