In October 2025, international students from 15 countries including the UK, Canada, South Korea and Malaysia studying at International Business School, Beijing Foreign Studies University (IBS.BFSU) spent a week exploring industries in Anji County, Zhejiang Province. The Immersion Week program took these students beyond classroom theory into local companies and innovation parks, where they gained firsthand insight into how Chinese enterprises are driving innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration through field visits and expert talks.
The destination, Anji, is known as the birthplace of China’s “Two Mountains” concept, the idea that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” For international students, Anji offered more than scenic landscapes; it provided a living example of China’s commitment to high-quality, sustainable, and innovation-led development.
Students toured Dakang Holding Group, which demonstrated the successful modernization of the chair industry, one of Anji’s long-established traditional sectors. Instead of finding a conventional factory floor, they observed a global enterprise integrating product innovation and intelligent manufacturing.
At Dakang, international students traced the evolution of Chinese seating design, from simple wooden chairs to ergonomic and smart furniture infused with aesthetics and technology, gaining a vivid sense of how the company and the nation are advancing toward innovation-driven manufacturing and high-quality development. One student from Mexico remarked that the most impressive was how Dakang connects traditional craft with modern technology.
Dakang showed that competitiveness of a company is built on process excellence, certified quality, innovation and a forward-looking Research & Development strategy. For students, the visit also highlights how China’s manufacturing is shifting from quantity to quality and from Made in China to Smartly Made in China.
The students also visited Heye Health Technology, a national high-tech enterprise established in 2008 and specializing in magnetic health technologies. By integrating fundamental research in material science with large-scale industrial production, the company develops innovative wellness solutions that combine technology with everyday life.
During the visit, the students explored a range of health products from advanced magnetic bedding and ergonomic pillows to smart massage chairs, and learned how cutting-edge technology can enhance personal well-being. “It was fascinating to see how advanced technology and traditional Chinese health concepts are being integrated,” said one student from Thailand.
Heye exemplifies Anji’s success in diversifying its local economy into high value-added industries and reflects nation’s Healthy China strategy, which promotes innovation in the wellness and healthcare sectors. For students, the visit underscored that Chinese enterprises today are not only manufacturing products but also driving innovation to address global societal needs, such as the growing demand for healthy living.
At Longwin Furniture, students explored how a traditional manufacturer can thrive in the era of cross-border e-commerce. What began as a factory producing sofas and chairs has evolved into a digitally empowered enterprise, integrating manufacturing expertise with data-driven marketing and international logistics. What impressed the students most was how Longwin combined traditional manufacturing strengths including quality, precision, and scale with digital tools and brand strategy to overcome challenges like market competition.
During the exchange, students discussed how Longwin tackles global trade challenges through diversification, including building overseas warehouses overseas, adopting multi-platform strategies, and enhancing product differentiation through design and patents. For many students, the visit offered firsthand insight into how digital transformation is reshaping China’s manufacturing landscape and opening new pathways for global participation.
The Anji visits offered young international learners a living classroom and a close look at how China’s modernization policies translate into enterprise innovation. They witnessed how local companies are contributing to the nation’s goals of sustainable, innovation-led growth, while also playing a part in global economic recovery.
IBS.BFSU’s Immersion Week is providing international students with immersive learning experiences that connect classroom theory with real-world practice. The cultural and business visits across China enable them to deepen their understanding of the China’s economic transformation, cultural vitality, and global engagement. Through these hands-on experiences, IBS.BFSU continues to build bridges between China and the world, nurturing globally minded students who not only learn from China’s development, but are also inspired to share their stories in China with the world.
