Yangzhou, January 12 (Xu Shanshan and Li Li) – The "Galloping Horse Welcomes the New Year, 'Foreign Eyes' See Yangzhou" – International Youth Study Tour for Generation Z Students – was launched at Yangzhou Industrial Vocational Technical College on January 12. Zhang Xiaohui, Standing Committee Member of the Yangzhou Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and Minister of the Publicity Department, stated at the launch ceremony, "Today, we use the image of a 'galloping horse' to express our aspirations for a prosperous New Year, and we use 'foreign eyes' to build a window for cultural exchange. We hope to leverage the unique perspectives and fresh expressions of Generation Z youth to showcase Yangzhou's historical depth, cultural warmth, and rapid development to the world, allowing the story of Yangzhou to shine with new brilliance in cross-cultural dialogue."
On January 12, the "Galloping Horses Welcome the New Year, 'Foreign Eyes' Look at Yangzhou"—a New Year's study tour for Generation Z international youth students—was launched at Yangzhou Institute of Technology. (Photo by Li Li)Yangzhou is a historical and cultural city steeped in over 2,500 years of canal civilization. It boasts both the romance of "descending to Yangzhou in the third month of spring" and the city's spirit of "respecting culture and morality, being open-minded and innovative, and being benevolent and loving." From its ancient role as a crucial crossroads of the "Land Silk Road" and the "Maritime Silk Road" to its current status as a modern metropolis actively integrating into the "Belt and Road" initiative and comprehensively advancing its development as a "three-famous city" and internationalization process, Yangzhou has consistently written a chapter of mutual learning among civilizations with an open and inclusive attitude.
International students perform a dragon dance. (Photo by Li Li)Youth are the vital force in dialogue between civilizations and a bridge for friendship between China and other countries. This event, jointly organized by the Cyberspace Administration of Yangzhou Municipal Committee of the CPC, the Information Office of Yangzhou Municipal People's Government, and the Foreign Affairs Office of Yangzhou Municipal People's Government, and hosted by Yangzhou Institute of Technology, will bring together more than 20 international students from six countries, including Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, for a three-day immersive study tour to deeply explore the historical heritage, cultural charm, and development vitality of Yangzhou, an ancient city with a history of thousands of years.
As the organizer of the event, Xue Bing, the president of Yangzhou Institute of Technology, said: "From the immersive experience of intangible cultural heritage, 'Etiquette on Horseback,' to the exploration of Huaiyang cuisine, 'Flavors on Horseback,' from the visit to the intelligent manufacturing workshop, 'Intelligence on Horseback,' to the tracing of the Grand Canal culture, 'Scenery on Horseback,' the school has carefully designed every link and meticulously refined every detail. We hope that every international youth can gain friendship, broaden their horizons, and hone their skills during the study tour, becoming storytellers of Yangzhou, inheritors of the spirit of craftsmanship, and participants in future collaborations."
At the launch ceremony, Sufian, an international student from Pakistan, shared his personal experiences in Yangzhou, expressing his heartfelt love for the city in fluent Chinese. "Yangzhou is not only the city where I study, but also my home in China. I will use my eyes and camera to record every touching moment and gain here, and share it with my family, friends, and more overseas friends, telling them that Yangzhou is a wonderful place!"
It is understood that the "Foreign Eyes on Yangzhou" International Youth and Student Study Tour has been held for three consecutive years. It has now become an important platform for Yangzhou to promote international exchange, foster friendly exchanges between Chinese and foreign youth, and deepen mutual learning among civilizations. It continues to inject youthful vitality into cultural exchanges between China and other countries, making the charm of this ancient city even more vibrant through cross-cultural communication. (End)
