Chongqing – "My dream is to work for the embassy of Turkmenistan in China. I want to become a bridge between the two countries," said Aylale Garatayeva, a graduate student from Chongqing University.

Aylale Garatayeva, or Lily, has been in China for nearly seven years, with three years in Chongqing, where she studies international trade for her master's degree. Asked about how her story with China began, she told iChongqing that Turkmenistan and China are good partners in the energy sector. Young students are encouraged to study in China. As a language lover, Lily likes exploring new cultures. She couldn't resist the chance to explore Chinese culture and learn mandarin, which is acknowledged as the most difficult language in the world. Plus, China, the fast-growing economy in the world, is home to numerous excellent universities that provide generous scholarships.

"The transportation in China is amazing, particularly the high-speed train and the metro system, which are so convenient." Lily marveled at what had impressed her most in China. She added that the technologies such as WeChat and Alipay have made her life here so easy. "I also appreciate that Chongqing university offers us international students opportunities for internship in China," said Lily, "Experiencing work culture in China makes the whole journey more meaningful."

This year marks the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between Turkmenistan and China. "At present, China's Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) and Turkmenistan's strategy to revive the Silk Road are gaining more and more synergy," explained Lily, whose master's thesis also focuses on BRI. Turkmenistan enjoys massive potential in the energy sector, while China sees a growing demand spurred by its expanding economy. In this regard, "exporting oil and natural gas to China has boosted our economy, and the cooperation in this sector keeps momentum," told Lily.

Speaking of the career plan, Lily said, with determination in her eyes, "Having been in China for years, I can speak fluent Chinese, and I know about Chinese culture. In the future, I would like to work in China, serving as a bridge connecting the two countries in the area of energy."