Tong Liya

Tong Liya (, born 8 August 1983) is a Chinese actress of Xibe ethnicity. Background Tong was born in Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang province. Her father Tong Jisheng was of Xibe ethnicity from Xinjiang while her mother Mao Haiying was of Han ethnicity from Gansu. Tong majored in dance at the Xinjiang Arts Institute, and due to her excellent results, was able to gain a placement at the Xinjiang Singing & Dancing Troupe. She subsequently obtained a qualification to teach dance at Xinjiang Arts Institute in 2000. In 2004, she enrolled in Central Academy of Drama, majoring in performance. Tong was named Ambassador of Xibe in 2011.