Despite the blazing sun and high temperatures touching 40 C in mid-September, dozens of students and parents flocked to the National Library in Tajikistan's capital to register for the 2025 autumn semester's Chinese courses.
"Another class is full already! We'll open a new one on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 pm to 3:30 pm," called out a Confucius Institute teacher standing at the entrance to the Chinese Hall in the institute.
Inside, students and parents jostled around the staff, eager to secure a spot in a Chinese class.
"Nearly 100 students have signed up for the new semester today," says Li Jianjun, head of the Chinese Hall teaching site. "More Tajiks are learning Chinese, and more schools are offering these courses. Most of our students are middle schoolers, many of whom want to study in China in the future."
Seventeen-year-old Rasul was accompanied by his father, who works with colleagues from China and encourages Rasul to follow his passion.
"I want to learn the language well and study in China," Rasul says.
Abdullakhim, also 17, has been studying Chinese for three years. "I'm here to help my 15-year-old brother sign up," he says. "Both of us dream of studying in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province."
Eleven-year-old Yusuf is new to learning the language. "I want to go to university in Shanghai when I grow up. My mom told me, the earlier I start learning Chinese, the better I can adapt to life there," he says, with a shy smile.
One parent echoed this sentiment when asked why she enrolled her child in Chinese classes: "Choosing to learn Chinese today is like choosing English — it means a lot." Her words reflected both trust in China and hope for the future.
Parents not only support their children in learning Chinese but also join them in their studies. Li often sees parents and children studying side-by-side in classes.
Some students practice writing Chinese characters page after page in a notebook. Others travel over 50 kilometers from rural areas for each lesson, and seldom give up, he adds.
"Their genuine love for the language inspires us to teach better and live up to their trust," Li says.
According to the country's Khovar state news agency, more than 5,000 Tajik students are currently studying in China. Since its establishment in August 2008, the Confucius Institute at Tajik National University has taught over 42,000 Chinese learners.
Shi Xiaoyu, a Chinese PhD student in Tajikistan, once taught at the Chinese Hall. She recalls Tajik friends who, even after completing four years at local universities, chose to start from scratch when given the opportunity to study in China.
"There's no doubt that learning Chinese and going to study in China has become a growing trend in Tajikistan," Shi says.
