Over the past few days, a total of 22 international students from 16 countries in China participated in the 2021 "Experience China" activity co-hosted by Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Henan Province, Department of Education of Henan Province and North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power. Traveling from Zhengzhou to Ruzhou, Xinxiang, etc., they have got a new understanding of Henan province.
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Experiencing the culture of China's Central Plains
During the activity, the 22 international students experienced a different Henan by perceiving Central Plains culture at Henan Museum, practicing Shaolin Kungfu at Shaolin Temple, learning Baduanjin (a fitness practice with a history of 800 years) at Henan University of Chinese Medicine, etc.
International students experience Shaolin Kungfu at Shaolin Temple. [Photo/dahe.cn]
"I watched many martial arts movies in my childhood and dreamed that I could visit Shaolin Temple some day. This activity helped me realize my childhood dream!" An international student from Uzbekistan told dahe.cn that they had not only watched the show of 13 Kungfu Monks Protecting Li Shimin and learned about the history behind it, but also watched a Kungfu performance and mastered some Kungfu techniques under the guidance of Kungfu masters.
"During the activity, we also visited Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Henan Museum, Ru Porcelain Culture Park, etc., which helped us deeply feel the charm of Central Plains culture."
Experiencing the charm of a modern Henan
During the activity, the 22 international students also visited China Railway Engineering Equipment Group, Yutong Group, Intelligent Terminal Industrial Park of Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, etc.
International students visit Yutong Group. [Photo/dahe.cn]
An international student from Tanzania said that he was deeply shocked by the TBMs of China Railway Engineering Equipment Group. At the factory, he experienced the advanced technology and manufacturing capabilities of the Group. Besides, he was very excited to visit Yutong Group, because Africa has formed very close ties with Yutong. Now, there are more than 1,000 Yutong buses in his home country of Tanzania, which has greatly improved the way they travel. At the Intelligent Terminal Industrial Park of Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, he not only learned about the development of mobile terminal devices, but also experienced the real situation of smart homes.
"Generally speaking, through the activity, I not only realized the power of scientific and technological innovation, but also witnessed the rapid development of Henan and the strong rising momentum of Central Plains."
Experiencing the vitality of Henan's rural vitalization
To learn more about Henan's rural vitalization, the 22 international students also visited the rural areas across the province.
International students plant a "friendship forest". [Photo/dahe.cn]
At Tangzhuang town of the county-level Weihui city, they heard the story of Wu Jinyin, who dug more than 6 million fish-scale pits on the Tanggong Mountain with the local villagers within 13 years, which deeply "shocked" them. Besides, putting on straw hats, they also planted a "friendship forest" with spades. In Baoquan Tourist Resort Area, the students learned about how the villagers got rich by the industrial transformation.
"The industrial transformation of Baoquan not only reflects the harmony between man and nature, but also enriches the local people and provides tourists with the opportunity to enjoy the peaceful countryside and nature. Through this activity, I understood the meaning of rural vitalization and the idea of 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets'. The people here are great." An international student from Russia expressed her affection for the Chinese countryside and thought the trip to Baoquan was also meaningful.
After traveling, the international students fell in love with Henan and expressed their wishes of being the ambassadors of friendship, builders of friendly relations and promoters of further cooperation, sharing the stories of Henan and their experiences in Henan with the world. (Chinese source: dahe.cn Translator: Zhao Hanqing Poster: Wang Junyi Proofreader: Zhang Yuhong)
