On April 22, COHD’s 29 international students from nine countries including Pakistan, Tanzania and Ethiopia along the route of “Belt and Road” went to Qingshen County of Sichuan Province - “Town of Chinese Bamboo Weaving Art” for investigations concerning rural mutual cooperation, diversified industrialization and other topics. Associate Professor Wang Yanlei of our college and some Assistant Administrators of international students also took part in the activity.
During the investigation, the international students visited Anjiaba Village, Hebazi Town, Qingshen County, Meishan City, where they listened to the reports made by the village two committees on women's participation in rural governance, and then watched a bamboo weaving contest of “Rural Sisters Workshop” organized by the county women’s federation and the rural promotion organization for cooperative development of women and children, in which they learnt the weaving skills from local women with enlightenment. They also paid a visit to the circle line of citrus industry in Baijiachi Village, Gaotai Town to learn about the development status of the local citrus industry and the construction of standardized orchard. After that, the international students paid another visit to the aged villagers’ households in Xiaosanxia Village, Hanyang Town, the community day-care center for elderlies in Shangyou Village and the community children’s home to listen to the introductory speeches of the construction of the rural elderly service system given by the leaders of the county and community. Finally, the students came to Xilong Town to listen to the introductory speeches from the town’s party committee about the development of the Wangou Village in terms of diversified industries such as tea, cherries and blueberries. They visited and experienced the fruit-picking of cherries and mulberries in Dexin Family Farm. Moreover, they interacted and communicated with the owners of the family farm.
Through this activity, international students have learned about the results of such multi-element development as the rural mutual assistance and cooperation as well as woman-participated governance, with a theme of the left-behind population. The field study strengthened the academic communication in such topics as the agricultural and rural development as well as politic agrarian changes between the countries along the “Belt and Road”. Meanwhile, it gives the international experience for better practicing rural vitalization strategies and promoting beautiful rural construction.
The College of Humanities and Development studies of China Agricultural University has always been taking the responsibility of serving the Rural Vitalization and the Belt and Road initiatives as its mission, and actively contributes to the national strategic development in the form of theoretical research, teaching cultivation and practical exploration. Meanwhile, based on rich experience in international education, our college has always attached great importance to the education and cultivation of international students in China. As an executive unit of many international student projects of national ministries, our college has recruited 101 international students from more than 20 countries and regions up to now, and the number of international graduates is 51. After returning to their home countries, graduates are mainly employed in local government departments and universities. Through continuous exploration and hard work, our college has achieved good results in education and foreign aid works and contributed to the cultivation of having knowledge and harboring hospitality to China. This coincides with the theme of the second "One Belt, One Road" International Cooperation Summit Forum.
Located on the southwestern edge of the west of Sichuan Plain, Qingshen County, Meishan City, Sichuan Province enjoys a good geographical position, long history and numerous historical sites. It is well endowed with beautiful natural sceneries and rich tourism resources and has the reputation of the home of Chinese bamboo-weaving art, the home of Chinese citrus as well as the second hometown of Su Shi (a famous Chinese poet of yore).
Qingshen County and our college have been cooperated in the areas of left-behind women, poverty alleviation and rural vitalization for more than 10 years. Currently, it is one of our important test bases for conducting rural vitalization experiment. The successful launch of this field-study activity was strongly supported by the Qingshen County Party Committee, the County Government and the County Women's Federation. In particular, the County Women's Federation has provided all-round assistance in arrangements for contact, organization and coordination, as well as publicity and protection. A warm reception was given by several local farming households, the Village Committees and the County Governments. Here, the great gratitude would be especially extended to them!
Qingshen and its people left a profound impression on the international students. After the field study, the students shared their feelings in Wechat moments, Wechat groups and so on in succession. The students all agreed that the tour was rich in content, impressive and marvelously meaningful. It also gave them a deeper understanding of the general situation of the agriculture and the rural areas in southern China, offered them a more direct comprehension of supportive polices of China governments at all levels for agriculture and rural development, and more clear feelings towards the development momentum and vitality of China's grassroots villages.
Ambaye Abera from Ethiopia:
“I would like to thank dear Professor for everything you have done for us. I found many things that were very important and interesting in this visit. I also got a lot of lessons from the very biginning to the end. The tour is very attractive, pleasant, valuable and never forgettable from our mind.”
Tekeste Gebrelibanos from Ethiopia:
“I have seen what I want to see in china, and I have got lessons in regards of my nation, I have to contribution something to my home land after my graduation, and finally I would like to thank CAU, Prof. Wang and all assistants, villagers and local leaders.”
Ahmad Sear Shayan from Afghanistan:
“Thanks Prof. Wang Yanlei and Wenkai and Andy, for making this Academic Tour memorable with full of achievements. I've learned a lot from this trip especially more about Chinese rural realities, policy interactions in local level, and development models implemented in local level to gain rural development. I hope we could find chances to share our experiences with our local people and to promote and apply tourism industries, community capacity building projects, poverty alleviation models back in our countries.”
Abraha Hadush from Ethiopia:
“Thank you prof. for the successful tour. I have learned how Chinese people and government change the nature to their economic advantage and also I am refreshed well.”
Setloboko Lefelisa from Lesotho:
“‘Hey, quickly’ became a national language of Sichuan province, coming from developing countries we are filled with hope that, strong leadership, economic growth and proper planning are also doable in Africa. The trip was magnificent for us and from the bottom of our hearts we thank you prof. and your wonderful team.”
