Zhejiang is one of the richest provinces in China and when a group of its international students recently visited Karamay, a remote landlocked city in the northwest corner of China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, they were surprised to learn that it’s one of the richest cities in China by GDP per capita.
The eleven international students from Jinhua-based Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU) participated in the activities of “Hello, Silk Road” International Conference on Internet Communication held in Karamay city from July 18 to 23. The students come from various countries, including Mozambique, Ethiopia, Russia, and Cameroon, all Belt and Road Initiative-participating countries.
During their 5-day trip, the students visited various places in Karamay, including the original site of Karamay Oilfield’s No 1 Well, an art gallery in Baijiantan District, the Dushanzi Grand Canyon, and the "Wuzhen of Western China" international tourist resort in Urho District.
They also participated in various activities, such as dragon boat racing and watching the high-wire walking performance, and gained new insight into the preservation of Xinjiang's traditional culture, the region's flourishing tourism industry, and the development of its digital industry.
Mozambican student Bembelelucinilde Otilia said that she would like to share her Xinjiang stories and become a bridge that connects China with the world.
Tran Thi Thu Thuy, from Vietnam, said she was fascinated by Xinjiang’s delicious food, beautiful landscapes, rich history and different cultures. She hoped that the videos she posted on social media will help more people get a better understanding of Xinjiang and China.
