International students sell goods for the villagers on live stream. [Photo/ Central South University]

“Hello! I'm Wang Xiaoxia (Chinese name) from Nigeria. This is my partner, Han Di (Chinese name) from Afghanistan. Welcome to our studio. This is the local tea. Today we went to the tea land. The tea is very good and clean. It's so fresh.” in the E-commerce Industrial Park of Jianghua County, Hunan, international students from Central South University are busy selling tea for the locals on live stream.

This year, Central South University organized 13 summer social practice groups of international students to carry out field researches in all parts of China. This activity (entitled “Understanding China in the Centennial Journey”) encouraged international students to have in-depth understanding of the real China, to tell China’s stories, spread the voice of China, and play a positive role in promoting the connection between people of all countries.

International students from Afghanistan, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Turkmenistan and Ukraine went to Jianghua Yao Autonomous County, Yongzhou City, Hunan to experience the new achievements of Rural Revitalization.

More than 30,000 mu (2,000 hectares) of Yaoshan snow pear is planted in Jianghua County of southern Hunan, with an annual output of nearly 15,000 tons, realizing an output value of nearly 200 million yuan, and increasing the income of more than 400 growers. In Lanxia village of Jianghua County, international students had a chance to know about the latest fruit and vegetable preservation technology, and work with the villagers to “beauty up” the pears to be sold in Guangdong.

After tasting the fresh snow pears, these students vied to be the spokesperson. “Juicy and delicious. I want to recommend it to my friends,” Chunlong (Chinese name) from Turkmenistan kept praising. “If I have a chance, I will certainly let more Nigerians taste the pears,” said Wang Xiaoxia.

Li Xiaoan (Chinese name) from Ukraine said while filming, “Hello, I am Li Xiaoan from Ukraine. Today we are in Jianghua. Here, Yaoshan snow pear is a ‘blessing’ for the locals to get rid of poverty and be better off.”

Jingtouwan of Jianghua county is an ancient village. While listening to the guide and travelling through the age-old houses, these international students became increasing curious about the green bricks, stone columns, attics and tile-built houses. Hearing that there are more than a hundred century-old buildings in the village, Han Di from Afghanistan couldn't help appreciating, “These buildings are preserved so well that I can touch the Chinese history on it!”

Shuikou Town, located in the middle of Jianghua County, has made a fame with the name “Town of Love”, on the basis of the love story between King Pan (ancestor of Yao ethnic group) and the three princesses, and was enlisted “Hunan Characteristic Cultural Tourism Town”. Today, more than 30 distinctive inns are open for business in this town. 300,000 tourists have been received in the first half of this year, offering “jobs” for villagers at home.

Here in this county, international students focused on industrial development and rural tourism, by putting on Yao costumes and becoming part of the Yao ethnic group, so as to experience the new life of Yao people. “In the past, I only had a glimpse of Chinese villages from the window of high-speed train. But this time, I saw myself the beautiful Chinese villages and convenient transportation system. Not only does rural tourism make the environment more livable, but it increases the income of villagers. Wonderful!” said Li Xiaoan.

“Sir, is it hot in your country?” “Miss, why is your hair different from ours?” At a school of Jianghua, international students answered these Chinese students' questions with patience. They also practiced calligraphy together. Chunlong, Li Xiaoan and Nati (Chinese names) from Equatorial Guinea also taught music lessons to the Chinese students.

“I remember a Chinese saying: A country would prosper if its education prospers; a country would be strong if its education is strong. I totally agree with it. The best gift for children is education!” said Wang Xiaoxia.

From agricultural development and e-commerce, to cultural tourism, folk heritage and enhancing education, all the international students were marveling at the revitalization of Chinese villages. The Chinese government has not only won the trust and compliment from Chinese people but also from the international community with regard to its poverty alleviation and anti-epidemic measures. The students said they would bring China's poverty alleviation experience back to their homelands, and tell the world a true, vivid and all-inclusive story about China.

“There are many professional farmers in China's rural areas, as well as many new technologies in agriculture. The houses built by farmers are very beautiful, and some traditional buildings and cultures are well protected. Seeing is better than hearing. I hope to travel more places in China, so as to better understand the real China,” said Han Di.