From July 18 to 27, 2018, the State Council Information Office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Yunnan and Sichuan Provincial Government Information Offices, and organized by the China Intercontinental Communication Center, hosted the "International Students Focus on China Tour." A group of 21 international students from Renmin University of China (RUC), Beihang University (BUAA), and Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) embarked on a journey to Yunnan Province, exploring Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Lijiang City.

The tour aimed to showcase China’s achievements in ecological environmental protection, poverty alleviation, ethnic unity, and progress over the past four decades of reform and opening-up. The students also witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of these developments on local communities.

During the tour, these students explored key sites such as the 60th Anniversary Museum of Diqing Prefecture, Bu Village Grape Industry, Deqin County and Mingyong Village, a leading example of ethnic unity and poverty alleviation.

They also interacted with the Tibetan families, experienced the intangible cultural heritage of the Lisu ethnic group in Tongle and Weixi Village, and delved into China's ecological and environmental protection policies and natural resource management protection.

Through this immersive field trip, the international students gained a deeper understanding of the current economic growth development and cultural environmental protection in western China and the tour underscored the region’s dynamic progress and its commitments to sustainable development.

Photo and article by Ramil Santos