Chongqing - The Chongqing Luhai International Communication Foundation, in conjunction with the School of Journalism and Communication at Sichuan International Studies University, recently initiated the "Summer Rural Exploration" program.
The program allowed more than 20 young participants from China and various foreign countries to visit the Lianhua community in Hefeng Town, Fengjie County, Chongqing, for an immersive experience of rural Chinese life. The primary objective was to evaluate and record the recent achievements in Chinese rural revitalization from an international perspective. By capturing joyful moments through their lenses, the participants aimed to share the beauty and spirit of Chinese villages globally, as seen through the eyes of international youth.
Dreams of the Sea in France
Famous for The Little Prince, French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry has touched hearts worldwide. During the program, a participant named Diane from Nantes, France, gifted a bilingual edition of "The Little Prince" to a local girl known as Lingling (a pseudonym).
Diane and Lingling took a photo together. (Photo/Chongqing Luhai International Communication Foundation)
She also read a passage from the book in both English and French, advising Lingling, "The best way to learn a foreign language is by reading books in that language. Mastering a foreign language allows you to see the world more clearly."
Lingling expressed her desire to visit the sea, stating, "The place I want to go to the most is the sea." Diane responded, "I'm from Nantes, France, by sea. I see the sea every day. However, I haven't seen many mountains, so I came to Chongqing, where I can see mountains I've never seen before."
Lingling exclaimed, "Really? Then I'll study hard because I want to see the sea in France."
Cultural exchange: "bonjour"
Youths from Turkmenistan, Japan, and France introduced the local children to their native cultures, food, and customs, along with teaching some everyday expressions.
Young Tajikistani introduced their country's culture, food, and customs to students in the village. (Photo/Chongqing Luhai International Communication Foundation)
Even Diane and Marie from France gave a French lesson. Interestingly, while walking along a small countryside path after the class, Diane and Marie encountered two local children. As they passed by, a sweet childish voice said, "Bonjour." Diane and Marie instinctively replied, "Bonjour," and then exclaimed in astonishment, "They greeted us in French! Did they remember this French word so quickly? How touching!"
French youth Marie (left) and Diane (right) taught French to the children. c
The "Countryside Assistance and Happy Moments" project has been implemented in Hefeng Town. At the town market, student volunteers from Sichuan International Studies University set up stalls and cameras for the project. They captured many joyful moments of both the elderly and children, printing these on-site and providing villagers with free copies. Marie, a French youth with a love for photography, actively participated, capturing happy moments of the children with her camera.
Marie took photos of a little girl and printed the photos to give to her. (Photo/Chongqing Luhai International Communication Foundation)
"I like the mountains and the people here"
During the program, foreign youth, including those from France, visited the Lianhua community. Marie, who was born in a rural area in France, noticed the differences between Chinese villages and those in her home country. Despite being located in the mountains, the Chinese village's transportation infrastructure was remarkably convenient, reflecting the Chinese government's significant focus on rural infrastructure development.
Marie learned the phrase, "To become rich, build roads first." She observed that France does not have a collective economy, and unlike in China, eight villages cannot unite to form a company. "This economic development model is unique to China," Marie commented.
Later, Diane and Marie visited the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. Upon reaching the summit of the Three Gorges, they couldn't contain their awe. "It's so beautiful here! Before coming to China, we thought there was no natural scenery. However, we've seen nature, blue skies, white clouds, green mountains, and rivers in Chongqing. I want to invite my family to Chongqing to see the Three Gorges," they expressed.
Diane's photo at the Three Gorges. (Photo/Chongqing Luhai International Communication Foundation)
After the program concluded, Diane fondly reflected on the three-day experience, stating, "I love the mountains here, the rivers, and the people. This was an unforgettable experience, and I will always cherish the memory of the children greeting me in French on the road. I will share what I saw, heard, and learned in Fengjie, allowing more people to get a glimpse of the authenticity of Chinese villages."