Participants for the Land-Sea-International Youth Urban Observation Program Season 1 Central Park Theme Event pose a group photo at Chongqing Yubei Exhibition Center on Nov. 23, 2023. (Photo provided to iChongqing and Bridging News)

Chongqing is the only municipality directly under the central government in China's west and central regions. Located in the southwest inland area and the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, it forms part of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, emerging as the "fourth pole" of China's economy after the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Chongqing is striving to become a key strategic fulcrum for the development of China's western region in the new era and a comprehensive hub for inland opening up.

As a famous historical and cultural city in China, Chongqing has a recorded history of over 3,000 years and is the birthplace of Bayu culture. It is also called "Yu" due to the ancient name of the Jialing River (Yu River). In 1891, Chongqing became the earliest inland trading port in China to open up to international trade, and in 1929, it was officially established as a municipality.

Chongqing is known as a unique "mountain city" and a "city on rivers," with its landforms primarily consisting of hills and mountains, accounting for 76 percent of the area. The Yangtze River runs through the entire territory, spanning 691 kilometers, and intersects with other rivers, such as the Jialing River and Wujiang River.

Chongqing boasts abundant tourism resources, including the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, the Dazu Rock Carvings (a cultural world heritage site), the Wulong Karst (a natural world heritage site), and Mount Jinfo in Nanchuan District.

This city is home to dozens of universities, such as Chongqing University, Southwest University, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, and Sichuan Fine Arts Institute. Additionally, it hosts innovation centers established by globally renowned universities and research and learning facilities set up by influential enterprises.

In 2023, the city's total number of international students approached 8,000, with more than 130 countries contributing to this diverse student body.

Focusing on countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, the "Study in Chongqing" action plan offers the Chinese solution and Chongqing wisdom.

By 2023, approximately 80 percent of international students studying in Chongqing are estimated to be from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. These countries include Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, South Korea, Russia, Mongolia, Chile, Peru, Egypt, and Uganda.

The Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, in collaboration with various government departments, has achieved standardized management throughout the entire process of international student recruitment, enrollment, education, graduation, and employment.

Chongqing has established a diverse scholarship support system for international students, with government, schools, and enterprise contributions. Continuous efforts are made to improve the supervision and guarantee mechanisms for the quality of international education and optimize financial, communication, medical, transportation, and immigration services, fostering an internationalized and enjoyable learning environment for international students.