A United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) project, supported by China, has provided hot meals for over 100,000 children in Kyrgyzstan so far this year, investing in a brighter future for tens of thousands of young students.
Dilshod Ismanaliev works as the head of the Osh Office for the UN WFP in Kyrgyzstan, in charge of the UN's school meal programs in the country's southern region. His work involves overseeing hundreds of schools, traveling thousands of kilometers of roads, conducting dozens of quality inspections, and leading a full team of experts in their daily collaborations.
Raised in the Osh region, Ismanaliev still has a memory of how his friends struggled to focus in class due to skipping breakfast. This memory fueled his determination to ensure children have access to meals, inspiring his work to put food on their tables as an adult.
The UN project is implemented in partnership with China's International Development Cooperation Agency, with support from the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund.
This year alone, the project has provided hot meals for 100,000 school children in Kyrgyzstan. More than 1,700 tons of food will be delivered to 300 schools across the country.
"The project will continue until 2027. A diverse diet is very important for children's health and growth. When we hear words of gratitude from their parents, from school administrators, it means a lot to us, to our organization. We are genuinely happy for them," said Ismanaliev.
Both children and school canteen staff are happy with the project.
"I had delicious soup today. My friends and I love coming to our cafeteria and having lunch together," said Maksut Zhusupov, a first-grade student.
"Here, we prepare hot meals for 370 children. This support from the UN and the Chinese government is not just aid for today, it's an investment for the future. Studies show that children who receive hot meals perform better in school and get sick less often," said Salima Faizilova, a canteen staff member.
Ismanaliev said the project even helped to improve school attendance.
"School attendance has improved since the introduction of the hot meal programs. Students now come to class and also get to enjoy a hot meal," he said.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Ismanaliev said as a UN staff in Kyrgyzstan, he is delighted to see his daily work is not only benefiting his home country, but making the world a better place.
"I hope my work in the UN matters not just for one village, one district, or one city, but for the entire country. We want to help people even beyond the borders," said Ismanaliev.
China-supported UN project provides school meals for children in Kyrgyzstan
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
