21st Century Maritime Silk Road Leadership Program

From December 12 to 15, 21^st century National Student Leadership Program was held in Yangjiang City, with 25 outstanding international students from 13 countries taking part in it. The program has been supported by Yangjiang government and Yangjiang Alumni Association of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS). By communicating with government representatives and entrepreneurs, the students had a deeper understanding of Yangjiang city and its significance to the Maritime Silk Road. In addition, Professor Peter Steiner, the Yunshan Scholar of GDUFS, participated in the event as a mentor, providing research guidance for the students.

Group Photo

Stop 1 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Lecture

At the first night, Professor Steiner gave a lecture on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), introducing basic knowledge of the initiative. He elaborated on the evolution of BRI and the important routes, corridors and ports. Furthermore, Marshall Plan was mentioned as a comparison to BRI. In the end, Professor Steiner pointed out the potential job opportunities brought about by BRI. In the Q&A session, the students had a heated discussion on multiple issues such as the challenges of BRI and the recent tension between China and US.

Professor Peter Steiner

Stop 2 Yangjiang Yongxing Aquaculture Co., Ltd.

On the morning of Dec 13, the teachers and students visited Yangjiang Yongxing Aquaculture Co., Ltd. and was warmly welcomed by Mr. Ao, Director of the Social Affairs Administration of Yangjiang High-tech Zone and Mr. Huang, Head of Yangjiang Yongxing Aquaculture Co., Ltd. In the fishing base, teachers and students saw the fish ponds and feeding equipment, and also learned about the company's fishery products export situation and business philosophy.

Visiting fish ponds

Stop 3 Maritime Silk Road Museum

On the afternoon of Dec 13, the teachers and students came to Maritime Silk Road Museum to learn about the history of Nanhai No.1 and Maritime Silk Road. A symposium was held with the participation of Mr. Zeng Chaoqun, the curator of the museum and Mr. Xie Shenglue, vice director of Yangjiang Press and Publication Bureau of Culture, Radio & Television. Mr. Zeng gave a detailed introduction to salvage history of Nanhai No.1 and the foundation of the museum. Mr. Xie briefly introduced the culture and history of Yangjiang City. In the Q&A session, many questions were raised concerning salvage technology, the history of Nanhai No.1 and its connection with Maritime Silk Road. The cultural relics and archeological site left a deep impression on the teachers and students.

Symposium

Stop 4 Yangjiang No.1 Middle School

On the morning of Dec 14, the teachers and students visited Yangjiang No.1 Middle School and was welcomed by Mrs. Huang Xinxuan, the Secretary of Communist Youth League and Mr. Dai Liliang, the vice secretary. Teachers and students made a tour around the campus and talked to the students. After the symposium, the international students had a deeper understanding of the educational philosophy of Yangjiang No. 1 Middle School and the status quo of school development.

Talking with students

Stop 5 Yangxi Jinyuan Marine Organisms Co., Ltd.

On the afternoon of December 14, accompanied by Zhang Zhendong, deputy director of the Yangxi County Education Bureau, and Chen Zhizhong, deputy director of the Yangxi County Government Office, the teachers and students came to Yangxi Jinyuan Marine Organisms Co., Ltd. for a visit. Here, the company's director briefed the teachers and students on the breeding techniques of P. monodon and black trout.

Group photo

Stop 6 Yangjiang Lacquer Art Museum

Yangjiang lacquer art is a national intangible cultural heritage. On the morning of December 15, accompanied by Liu Shouye and Liao Zhihua alumni of GDUFS, our teachers and students visited Yangjiang Lacquer Art Museum. The teachers and students got to know the creation process of lacquer wares and were all impressed by the exquisite beauty of lacquer art.

Visiting Yangjiang Lacquer Art Museum

Stop 7 Yangjiang 18 Group

On the morning of December 15, after the visit of Yangjiang Lacquer Art Museum, the teachers and students went to Yangjiang 18 Group, a leading enterprise in Yangjiang. Here, teachers and students learned about the history of knives and the development philosophy of the company. In addition, Yangjiang 18 Group also has a World Speaker Museum, where teachers and students also visited the museum's collection of phonographs and other musical instruments.

Group photo

21^st Century Maritime Silk Road Leadership Program was successfully concluded. The trainees all expressed that they’ve gained a lot from the trip. PEZO TORRES YAJAIRA LEILA (from Peru) said that the two fishery bases, although not very large in size, have large output and export. Peru, as a major fishing country, can strengthen cooperation with Yangjiang city and China in fisheries by learning from each other. NAJMAN RASHAD ISMAIL MOHAMMED ALI (from Yemen) mentioned that his country has benefited from the BRI. Today the economy is developing thanks to the improved infrastructure. From this training project, he also gained a deeper understanding of BRI, especially the Maritime Silk Road.