Students pose for a photograph at Hengda Maritime Venice, a beach renowned as the most beautiful sandy stretch in eastern China. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Broadcasting and TV Station]

A group of international students from Nantong University visited Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong, in eastern Jiangsu province, on April 25.

The 16 members of the delegation were all from Russia and Kyrghyzstan, countries both involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

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 at Qidong Shipbuilding Industrial Park, where they were briefed on some of its  ambitious projects. 

Speaking of their impressions of Qidong, Alina, a student from the delegation, who is majoring in international trade at Nantong University, said that she was impressed by the fresh air, the abundant marine products and the fast development of the metropolis. 

Demy, another student, expressed the hope that they could return to get to know more about the vigorous city. 

“All the students taking part in the activity were exchange students from Voronezh State University in Russia, as the university established a partnership with Nantong University,” said Wang Yingli, dean of the School of Geographical Sciences at Nantong University.

By organizing the trip, it was hoped it would help foreign students gain a better understanding of Qidong and China, and that they would share their feelings about the country with others when they returned to their motherland, Wang added.

Students visit Qidong Shipbuilding Industrial Park, where they were briefed on some of its ambitious projects. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Broadcasting and TV Station]