2023-05-10 Author: Source:

On May 10, the "Perceiving China" event, hosted by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and organized by Tianjin University of Technology (TUT), took place successfully, with the theme "Perceiving China, Embracing Diversity - Experiencing the Achievements of the Belt and Road Initiative over the Past Decade". Nearly 20 international students of TUT, from countries along the Belt and Road such as Côte d'Ivoire and Turkmenistan, took active part in the event.

        During the event, the students and teachers visited Limin Village in Tianjin's Jizhou District. At a meeting with local officials, including TUT's cadres dispatched for poverty alleviation in the village and the chairperson of the village committee, they heard how the village had transformed from a dusty, muddy place into a blooming and fruitful community. They learned about the impact of the rural revitalization strategy on the village's appearance and the lives of its residents. The students dived into the concept of "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets", learning about the link between China's economic growth and environmental protection. International students from Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, and North Korea shared how their countries' agriculture and economies had benefited from China's Belt and Road Initiative.

After the meeting, the students visited local farmhouses to experience the simple daily lives of the villagers. They also went to the fields to inquire about sweet potato planting and drip irrigation techniques from the villagers, experiencing the joy of labor and the progress of modern rural development.

Early this month, President Xi Jinping responded to the students of the Science and Technology Backyard at China Agricultural University. He encouraged the youth to hold on to their dreams, stay grounded, and contribute to the modernization of agriculture and rural areas as well as the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country. The international students from TUT were inspired by his message. They noted that China's rural revitalization strategy has brought about remarkable changes in agriculture and rural areas. They hoped that China will share its development experience with other developing countries through cooperation and exchanges.

This "Perceiving China" activity is the first in a series of social practice and cultural experience activities hosted by CSC. It aims to give international students at TUT the chance to explore rural China in their free time, learn about rural revitalization, and experience the livability and business opportunities in China's new socialist countryside. It is a journey of mutual learning and growth for both teachers and students.

        Next, we will actively advance the "Perceiving China" activities and join the "Me and the City Where I Study" campaign organized by the Education Work Committee of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee and the Tianjin Municipal Education Commission. We will take international students to places like the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City and the Tianjin Cultural Centre to experience Tianjin's culture and urban charm, and explore its rich cultural and historical heritage. This will support Tianjin's Belt and Road development and help international students understand and love Tianjin, share positive stories about China, and become ambassadors for cultural exchange.