Anna Samodolova poses for a photo at the 2025 Euro-Asia Economic Forum in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Sept. 23, 2025. (Xinhua)
XI'AN, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Anna Samodolova, a 27-year-old Russian entrepreneur, is resolute in her decision to stay in Xi'an and grow her business. She firmly believes that her venture in China is her top priority.
"Right now, my career in China is extremely important. Starting a business here has made me more independent and confident," she shared with Xinhua.
When she was a university student, Anna was amazed by news of China's rapid economic growth and its abundant entrepreneurial opportunities. This led her to choose Chinese as her second foreign language.
In 2019, she traveled to China for the first time, spending a semester studying Mandarin at Heilongjiang International University in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang. "From the airport to the city, everything was so clean and modern," Anna recalled. "It was completely different from what I had imagined."
Driven by her aspirations, Anna returned to China in 2022 to pursue a master's degree at Xi'an Jiaotong University in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. After graduating, she decided to launch her own consulting firm in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi, aiming to foster people-to-people exchanges between China and Russia.
"Xi'an is an international tourist hub and a key node in the Belt and Road Initiative. It's a place full of foreigners and opportunities," she explained.
Her first major project involved facilitating business talks between a Moscow-based ice cream producer and three Chinese companies.
"The Chinese companies were looking for localized flavors, while the Moscow producer was focused on cost considerations. In the end, no deal was reached," Anna said with regret. "But the experience taught me that I was too reserved in social settings and lacked some skills in language and etiquette."
To enhance her ability to serve her clients, Anna turned to online courses to study business Chinese and Chinese cultural norms.
In Aug. 2024, a Russian client approached her to help bring the Russian band GARAGE DAYZ to China for a performance. Although she had no prior experience with Xi'an's performance market, Anna dove into the task, scrambling to secure a venue, liaise with local event companies, and obtain the necessary performance permits.
"I even learned about stage lighting and sound systems, and personally tweaked the promotional posters," she said. "To find a more cost-effective local band, I reached out on social media and found the perfect partner." Thanks to her meticulous planning, GARAGE DAYZ successfully made their Asian debut in Xi'an in April 2025.
Having spent over three years in China, Anna is now fully integrated and has become more self-assured. This September, she participated in a young elites' dialogue at the 2025 Euro-Asia Economic Forum in Xi'an, where she spoke about how China's rapidly developing digital economy has propelled her personal growth. "In China, the rapid advancement of technologies like AI and mobile payments has made international cooperation much more convenient," she stated in her speech.
Living in the ancient capital of Xi'an, Anna has also developed a fondness for local cuisine and intangible cultural heritage. "I've danced since I was young, so I particularly love Chinese folk and classical dance," she shared. She also enjoys visiting scenic spots dressed in Hanfu, traditional Chinese attire. "I especially love the ancient Chinese bamboo hats. They feel uniquely Eastern."
As travel between Russia and China becomes more convenient, Anna's business ventures continue to grow. She is currently organizing "Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) tours" for Russian tourists. "Right now, many Russians are very interested in TCM. I'm working with a TCM hospital in Xi'an to give them a firsthand experience of Chinese massage and acupuncture," Anna said.
"And of course, outside of work, I want to travel all across China. My top destination is Chengdu, where I hope to see the pandas."
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