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.