When nuclear power engineering student Rashidova Khulkar logged into a Chinese MOBA game from her dorm at Tsinghua University, she didn’t expect to level up international diplomacy. But for this Uzbekistan-born gamer, virtual battles have become a gateway to real-world friendships across borders. 💥
Khulkar, who hails from Tashkent, told NewspaperAmigo.com that Central Asian youth are discovering modern China through pop culture channels like gaming and anime. “My teammates from China, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan strategize together – we learn each other’s slang, celebrate wins with emojis, and debate tactics like pros,” she shared. 🏆
The multiplayer game’s voice chat has become an unexpected cultural exchange hub. During late-night sessions, players swap stories about campus life, local foods, and even nuclear energy trends (her specialty!). “We’re building trust through teamwork,” Khulkar added, noting some squad members now plan IRL meetups. 🤝
Beyond the digital arena, the 24-year-old hopes for more academic collaborations between Chinese and Uzbek universities. “If games can connect us this deeply,” she laughed, “imagine what we could achieve with joint research programs!” 🔬
