Two young visitors take time out to pose for a photograph, holding mantis shrimps. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]

More than 20 international students from the School of Journalism at Shanghai’s Fudan University visited Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong, in Jiangsu province, on April 14.

The visitors were all from countries along the Belt and Road, including Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Italy. 

Their first stop in the city was in Lvsixianyu town, where they watched fishermen at work in their boats.

Following their first stop, the group headed to Hengda Maritime Venice, a beach renowned as the most beautiful sand beach in eastern China.

Their last stop was Qidong Shipbuilding Industrial Park, where they were briefed on some of the ambitious projects.

Speaking of their impressions of Qidong, Wang Kun, secretary of foreign affairs at the Office of International Exchanges at the journalism school, said that they were impressed by the fast development of the city.

“In the future, relations between Qidong and Shanghai will be closer,” said Li Shuanglong, vice-dean of Fudan University’s School of Journalism.

“we hope this trip can make our students better understand Qidong, Nantong and Jiangsu, and thus have a clearer understanding of how the development of the Yangtze River Delta region has influenced the whole country.”

Each year, in April and November, the School of Journalism at Fudan University organizes trips for international students to different parts of China with the aim of helping them gain a better understanding of the country.

Jumping for joy: students are in high spirits at Hengda Maritime Venice, a beach renowned as the most beautiful sandy stretch in eastern China. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]

The group of international students from the School of Journalism at Fudan University visits the Qidong Shipbuilding Industrial Park. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]