This undated photo taken with a mobile phone shows Li Ming (C, front) posing for a selfie with children in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Li Ming, a vlogger from northeast China's Liaoning Province, has recently been in the spotlight for his short videos documenting the lives of children in the northwestern autonomous region of Xinjiang, garnering millions of likes on the popular social media platform Douyin. (Xinhua)

URUMQI, Aug. 1, 2024 -- Li Ming, a vlogger from northeast China's Liaoning Province, has recently been in the spotlight for his short videos documenting the lives of children in the northwestern autonomous region of Xinjiang, garnering millions of likes on the popular social media platform Douyin.

Xinjiang, with its stunning landscapes, diverse cuisine and rich cultural traditions, has become a popular destination for bloggers from around the world.

Like many others, Li relocated with his family to Xinjiang, thousands of miles from his hometown, over a year ago to pursue a career in vlogging, initially focusing on travel and food.

During a trip, the 42-year-old was surprisingly inspired by a group of children playing football in an alley in Kashgar in southern Xinjiang.

"They were kicking a worn-out ball with such joy. It reminded me of my own childhood -- free from constraints, no phones, just pure joy," Li recalled. "The children here are always happy."

That precious moment prompted Li to shift his focus to documenting the lives of Xinjiang's children. He would sometimes film their playtime as an observer; and other times, he would engage in whimsical conversations with them.

"What are your summer plans?" "What worries you lately?" "What are your dreams for the future?" ... Li is eager to explore more.

With his cheerful and humorous personality, Li quickly became a friend to the children, while the children's innocent and unexpected answers often surprised him.

Once, Li asked a group of children about their favorite places to visit. The response from a young girl named Zulpyar moved him deeply.

"Before they answered, I expected them to mention big cities or coastal areas. But Zulpyar told me she wanted to visit northeastern China, which caught me by surprise," Li recalled.

Li's hometown is located in the northeastern region of China, once the nation's heavy-industry heartland. For decades, people from the region have made significant contributions to the country's development.

Zulpyar, an elementary school student, told Li that she had learned about the region's historical contributions online and had been curious and eager to visit it ever since.

The short video of their conversation quickly touched the hearts of many people in the region, who expressed their surprise that a child from faraway place such as Xinjiang valued their hometown's achievements. The Uygur girl was even invited by the authorities of Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province, to explore the area's beautiful scenery and delicious food.

Over the past few months, Li has traveled across Xinjiang, posting nearly 60 short videos that have garnered millions of likes. He titled the series "Showing the World How Amazing Xinjiang's Children Are."

"The kids here have exceptional communication skills," Li praised. "They are warm and polite. When we watch programs together, they always give me the best seat."

Li also collected questions from curious netizens to ask the children.

"Many people have limited knowledge about Xinjiang, and the children's answers offer a genuine window into their world," said Li.

Meanwhile, the children frequently asked Li about the world outside Xinjiang.

"Some want to be designers, others dream of becoming dancers, and some hope to score goals for China in competitions," Li said. "I hope to provide more platforms and resources through my videos to help these children achieve their dreams."

This undated video screenshot shows Li Ming (1st L) posing for a selfie with children in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Li Ming, a vlogger from northeast China's Liaoning Province, has recently been in the spotlight for his short videos documenting the lives of children in the northwestern autonomous region of Xinjiang, garnering millions of likes on the popular social media platform Douyin. (Xinhua)

This undated video screenshot shows children recorded by Li Ming in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Li Ming, a vlogger from northeast China's Liaoning Province, has recently been in the spotlight for his short videos documenting the lives of children in the northwestern autonomous region of Xinjiang, garnering millions of likes on the popular social media platform Douyin.(Xinhua)