To enhance international exchange and mutual learning and to help the world gain a better understanding of the real China, the College of International Education of East China University of Science and Technology organized a two-day event in early June titled "Perceiving China: Exploring the Beauty of Suzhou's Historical and Modern Fusion" for over 50 international students.  During the event, students from more than 30 countries, including Russia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, deepened their appreciation of Suzhou's historical heritage and modern development by visiting its iconic classical gardens, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and the green low-carbon technology company GCL Group.

To experience the historical charm of Suzhou, the first stop of this event was Tongli Ancient Town. Wandering through ancient riverside dwellings, waterside homes, and leisurely scenes of daily life along the canals, the students immersed themselves in the rustic lifestyle and local customs of Jiangnan's water towns. At Tiger Hill, which is known as the "Number One Scenic Spot in Wu Region," the students explored its rich historical heritage—from the legends of King Helü of Wu to the famous saying by Su Dongpo: "To visit Suzhou and not see Tiger Hill is a lifelong regret." Through these experiences, the students learned about the profound historical background and cultural heritage of Tiger Hill.

At the Master-of-Nets Garden, a World Cultural Heritage site, the students marveled at the ingenious design of attractions within the garden such as the Moon Comes with Breeze Pavilion and the Osmanthus Fragrance Pavilion. They were particularly impressed to learn about the garden's significant role in international landscape art exchanges - such as the replica of the Dianchun Yi courtyard at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art - which deepened their appreciation for the universal value and global influence of traditional Chinese garden art.

The group was invited to visit GCL Technology on the afternoon of the first day of the activity, to appreciate its achievements and global layout in the field of green energy. At the Energy Exhibition Hall, the students gained a comprehensive understanding of GCL's development journey from traditional energy to green technology, as well as its innovative achievements in photovoltaic materials, energy storage technology, and hydrogen energy applications. During the symposium, through promotional videos and specialized presentations, the students further understood GCL's global development strategy. Upon learning that many of GCL's technologies have reached world-leading levels, many students expressed that they had a new understanding of the international competitiveness of Chinese new energy enterprises.

The "Perceiving China" series of extracurricular activities for international students is an effective approach for the university to achieve its educational goal of helping international students "understand China and integrate knowledge with practice." In the future, the university will further develop activities that integrate classroom teaching with social practice, making cultural education more multi-dimensional. This will also facilitate mutual learning and cultural exchanges among international students, helping cultivate goodwill ambassadors who possess an in-depth understanding of Chinese culture and are committed to international communication.

 

Photography: Anna Kuzmina (Russia)