Phoenix TV correspondent Li Rui delivers ground-level dispatches from a region in turmoil. Her “War Diaries,” a series begun on February 28^th, provides an unfiltered view into the conflict, chronicling the resilience and struggles of ordinary Iranians amid the bombardment. A member of the inaugural Persian language graduating class (2001) of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), Li furthered her studies at Peking University and Tehran University. Her journey — from language student, to cultural bridge-builder, to front-line journalist — spans over two decades of dedication.

SISU Gave Me Courage to Engage With the World

For Li, her years at SISU were formative. The university’s Persian program, established in 1997, equipped students with not only language proficiency but also deep insights into Iranian society, politics, history, and art. A semester-long exchange program in Iran provided crucial firsthand exposure, building a foundation for cross-cultural understanding.

Li’s professional calling took root at SISU. She always remembers her professors’ words,“respect differences, embrace inclusiveness.” With this vision, she entered the local community with sincerity, conveying the nuances of diverse cultures.

A postgraduate teaching fellowship in Iran marked a pivotal chapter, immersing her the locals’ worldly life. While there, her interpreting work for Phoenix TV revealed a natural aptitude for journalism. Her linguistic knowledge and cross-cultural skills led to her current role as Phoenix TV’s sole correspondent based in the Middle East.

Listening Beyond the Headlines

Adapting to the digital era, Li complements her written reports and photographs with raw, immediate video footage shared on social media. “If no one goes on the ground,” she believes, “people will miss the full picture, and the authentic voices of the people living there.”

In Benghazi, Libya, she witnessed fragile life in wartime. In field hospitals, she heard grievous cries. She saw residential buildings collapsed under shelling, entire blocks reduced to rubble, and families mourning for loved ones. “Of course, there is fear,” Li admits, yet she keeps going, maintaining her physical and mental fortitude. The goal is simple — to record one more piece of truth.

As conflicts intensified across the region, Li began her “War Diaries” from Tehran, initially as a personal effort “to remember” regular folks struggling for survival — their joy, sorrow, and resilience in wartime. To her surprise, these unvarnished stories resonated widely. “I want people to remember those fighting to live with hope, to see the brutal war, and to cherish the precious peace they hold.” Li says.

Her Diaries describe a Tehran spring tainted by smoke. During air raid alerts, she took shelter in a cramped bathroom while explosions echoed outside. Under dim light, she rushed reports, falling asleep before waking early morning for live broadcasts. She visited field hospitals full of chaos and attended press conferences in damaged classrooms. Amidst snacks and crafts children left, she felt the sudden severing of life. For her, cross-cultural work means living beyond the landmarks and listening beyond the headlines.

Home in Mind, Battlefield at Hand

During a lecture back at SISU, she told students, “stereotypes break when we set aside assumptions and listen.” Her years in SISU gave her more than Persian language knowledge. SISU offered her methodology to decipher emotions and meanings behind words and enabled her to connect with different cultures, touching genuine hearts and conveying firsthand information. With those skills, she captured glimpses of the human moments of Iran — a mother preparing a careful meal, an elder refusing to leave home…These small scenes, she believes, uncover Iran’s true essence more than any headline can.

Years in conflict zones have crystallized the meaning of “home” and “peace.” The simple comforts of a hot meal or a safe sleep are unimaginable luxuries in wartime. When peace returns, Li’s deepest wish is to visit her mother, savor a home-cooked braised pork, reunite with friends in Shanghai, and bask in the quiet security of ordinary days. This clarified perspective steels her resolve — to document truth with her lens and, through her work, defend the dignity of everyday life.

Her message to younger SISUers is filled with encouragement, “Treasure your peaceful campus life. Read widely, and explore the world. Trial and error. Do not limit yourself.” She holds, “Each step builds your journey ahead.”