Due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions, Alex from Tajikistan celebrated his first New Year in Suzhou City of Jiangsu Province, a popular destination for foreigners to work or study.

The 28-year-old has been in China for five years, including a stay of two years both in Qingdao in Shandong Province and Wuxi in Jiangsu. Alex leaned basic Chinese at the Confucius Institute in Qingdao and also became interested in Chinese culture.

Together with a compatriot, the duo run a trade company, with clients mainly in Europe. Due to COVID-19, he chose to stay in Suzhou.

Alex said his favorite Chines food is malatang, a kind of spicy hot pot, because he can customize everything down to the seasonings and ingredients.

On New Year's Eve, he had video talks with his family members and felt somewhat sad as he was the only one who couldn’t attend the party in person and enjoy the family delicacies.

Alex said he hopes to return to Tajikistan this year and meet the family members. “I miss them, and I hope the world can go back to normal and become better,” he said.

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