Ekaterina Kaligaeva loves exploring China. Ekaterina, whose Chinese name is Su Xiaoxiao, was born in Minsk, Belarus. Both of her parents are proficient in foreign languages. Encouraged by her parents, she began studying the Chinese language in middle school. She could not have expected the Chinese language would change the course of her life. Ekaterina moved to China six years ago, and she immediately began exploring various careers. She considers China to be her second home. Today, she wears many labels, including TikTok influencer, most beautiful host and China-Belarus friendship envoy. To her, though, "storyteller of China" is her most important identity.
Second Home
Ekaterina visited Beijing during the summer of 2015, so she could attend a Confucius Institute summer camp. That first encounter with China left a deep impression on the then-18-year-old girl. She developed a strong interest in both the Chinese language and Chinese culture while she was participating in several cultural activities.
In 2017, she participated in the Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students. She won the championship, in the Belarusian division, and her prize included a scholarship to study in China. Winning the championship turned out to be the key that opened the door to China for Ekaterina.
She applied for a spot in the Confucius Institute program, and, after her acceptance, she officially embarked on her journey of studying in China. In 2018, she was admitted to the School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University, in Beijing.
Ekaterina has deep feelings for Beijing. "When I first arrived in Beijing, at 18, I felt both unfamiliar and curious about this international metropolis. Now, Beijing is my second home. I am very grateful to my classmates and teachers at Tsinghua University. They not only guided me, but also gave me a lot of warmth. They are mentors in my life, and also my close friends. Beijing filled my memories, and witnessed my growth," she says.
Last year, Ekaterina graduated from Peking University, with a master's degree in Chinese studies. Her dream is to become a bilingual host, in Chinese and Russian, and to contribute to the cultural exchanges between the two countries.
"Since I arrived in China, the biggest change in me has been learning to embrace inclusivity. China is an exceptionally inclusive country, opening its arms to people, from all over the world, with different cultural backgrounds, allowing me to see the diversity and vastness of the world," Ekaterina says.
China's vast and varied landscapes have fascinated Ekaterina. "I couldn't help but travel across China. I wanted to store all of its beauty in my memory. In Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, I savored the rich tea culture and witnessed the gentle harmony between pandas and humans. In the misty Jiangnan region, I was enchanted by the poetic charm of the water towns. In south China's Hainan Province, I experienced the romance of the island. In Qiannan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, in southwest China's Guizhou Province, I visited the picturesque Libo County, which is known as the ‘Emerald on the Earth's Belt'," she says.
Conveying Friendship
While a student in China, and as her desire to share her China story grew stronger, Ekaterina became a short-video blogger. She created her account, "Belarusian Beauty Su Xiaoxiao," on a short-video platform, and she began posting information about language and culture, videos about her life, work and travels, and stories about Belarus and China. Her posts resonated with young people, from China and other countries.
"In May 2023, Peking University organized a study tour in northwest China's Gansu Province. We spent six days traveling around the province, learning about the Hexi Corridor, and about its role in the Belt and Road Initiative. I found it wonderful to travel and study at the same time, to learn about China alongside the university teachers and students," Ekaterina says. She was impressed by the unique charm of northwestern China, and especially by the hospitality of its people.
During her travels to many regions of China, Ekaterina has noticed the significant advancements that have taken place within China's tourism industry. "Traveling is now incredibly convenient. Scenic-spot tickets and hotel accommodations can be booked online, with WeChat applets and OTA (online travel agency) platforms, which have Chinese and English versions, making it easy for foreign tourists to use. Not to mention the extensive, high-speed rail network, which is both comfortable and efficient, making impromptu trips particularly effortless. I am happy to see more and more foreign tourists visiting China," she says.
Ekaterina filmed the spring tea festival last year to help overseas viewers understand the profoundness of China's tea culture.
She also vlogged at Harbin Ice and Snow World, in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. She wanted to share the charm of ice and snow in northeastern China with her viewers.
At Hongshan Forest Zoo, in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, she recorded China's wildlife-protection efforts, to convey the nation's concept of ecological conservation.
"Overseas viewers really enjoy simple and authentic stories. Using a first-person perspective to film food, scenery and personal experiences evokes emotional resonance more easily. Every time I see comments like 'traveling with an international student' or 'you are an envoy of China-Belarus friendship,' I feel especially warm," Ekaterina says.
Hosting the youth friendship story-sharing event, in December 2021, left a deep impression on Ekaterina. The event was held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Belarus.
"During the event, young people from Belarus and China shared vivid stories one after another, and that platform promoted friendship between the two countries. There have been many other important moments like that," she says.
Nowadays, cultural exchanges and economic and trade cooperation between China and Belarus continue to grow. Ekaterina has played her role in that process; for example, she has recommended high-quality Belarusian products — such as meat, milk powder and chocolate — to her Chinese friends.
"China is my second home. During Spring Festival, my supervisor would take me and a few classmates to his home to make dumplings, and to watch the Spring Festival Gala. These gatherings, full of warmth, gave me a sense of belonging. At first, I couldn't do without a knife and fork. Now, I not only can use chopsticks skillfully, but I also have a basic understanding of Chinese cuisine," she says.
Recording China's Stories
"In recent years, many young people in Belarus and Russia have chosen to learn Chinese, instead of English, as their foreign language. Our country has also experienced a craze for Chinese. Many of my relatives, friends and classmates have asked my sister, who teaches Chinese in Belarus, and my parents about the best place to learn Chinese, how to study or work in China, and so on. I am especially grateful for my parents, and myself, for making that firm choice at the time. I am also thankful to China, and my Chinese friends and audiences, for recognizing and welcoming me and the work I do," Ekaterina says.
She intends to use videos to spread positive energy, show the world a real, multifaceted China, and tell China's stories in a vivid, moving way. "When shooting short videos or other programs, I tell myself to be sincere and authentic. I hope, through my videos, more people will see the real China, and develop an interest in this country. My family and I will always be full of anticipation for what we will do in China," she says.
Ekaterina is keen to film documentaries, promotional videos and cultural and educational programs. "I like to record the stories of China, with a first-person perspective, and to use the camera to tell audiences this is the real China, with unity and harmony among all ethnic groups," she says.
Ekaterina's visits to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region left her with warm and pleasant memories. "I enjoyed wandering through the ancient city of Kashgar, in Xinjiang. On the way to Nalati Grassland, I met Uygur children, who gave me ice cream and happily took photos with me. In the suburbs of Shigatse, in Xizang, I not only saw the new look after poverty alleviation, but I also felt the warmth of the local villagers, who kept refilling our butter tea and offering us potatoes and tomatoes, which they grew themselves. These moments were truly heartwarming. Even as someone far from home, I felt a sense of belonging, a kind of inclusivity and warmth that is hard to put into words," Ekaterina says.
Ekaterina, who is outgoing by nature, has proven, through her actions, she is suited to be a host. In addition to managing her own social-media accounts, she has participated in several programs produced by CGTN (China Global Television Network).
Last May, she posted a vlog, Foreigners View Chinese Civilization: Belarusian Blogger Experiences Beijing Culture in Hutong, through which she gave her viewers a tour of Beijing's cultural landmarks. The vlog gave her viewers a sense of the strong "Beijing flavor" in hutong.
Ekaterina loves being on the stage, and she especially enjoys taking the microphone and confidently saying, "Hello everyone! I am Su Xiaoxiao, a host from Belarus." After many of the events she has hosted, children in the audience have approached Ekaterina to ask her to teach them a few words in Russian and English. "This also makes me feel that I have truly integrated into China. Such barrier-free communications bring me immense happiness, because my dream has come true in China. I love the work and life I have here," she says.
Photos from Interviewee
(Women of China English Monthly January 2026)
Editor: Wang Shasha
