Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom, from Iraq, builds a new life as a food vlogger and a cultural bridge between his homeland and China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region. [Photo by Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Having survived war, Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom, from Iraq, is building a new life as a food vlogger and cultural bridge between his homeland and China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
He arrived in Ningxia in 2014 when he was 20 years old. The warmth of the local community became his healing balm. Friends helped him settle, introduced him to local food, and gave him company when he was alone. He adopted the Chinese name Wang Lixuan.
"In Ningxia, I finally experienced the warmth I had long yearned for. These friends are my family members," he said.
Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom, from Iraq, builds a new life as a food vlogger and a cultural bridge between his homeland and China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region. [Photo by Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom/For chinadaily.com.cn]
As his Mandarin skills improved, he transitioned from teaching Arabic to work as a digital creator and cultural ambassador. He began developing funny food videos comparing Iraqi and Chinese cuisine and built an online following.
His popularity led to a role as a cultural ambassador, earning an invitation to cover Ningxia's China-Arab States Expo in August. He has also traveled across the Middle East to appear on local media and share his experience with China's misconceptions and development contributions.
Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom, from Iraq, builds a new life as a food vlogger and a cultural bridge between his homeland and China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region. [Photo by Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Now, he is preparing a film to share China's experience in post-conflict recovery with Arab audiences. "Having experienced the bitterness of life and death, I cherish the peaceful life I've found in China," he said on his social media account.
Kang Jiaxin in Yinchuan contributed to this story.
Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom, from Iraq, builds a new life as a food vlogger and a cultural bridge between his homeland and China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region. [Photo by Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom, from Iraq, builds a new life as a food vlogger and a cultural bridge between his homeland and China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region. [Photo by Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom, from Iraq, builds a new life as a food vlogger and a cultural bridge between his homeland and China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region. [Photo by Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom joins a sales live-stream in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region. [Photo by Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Alkalthoom/For chinadaily.com.cn]
