China Correspondent: The coastal city of Sanya in China’s southern Hainan Province hosted an international media and cultural exchange programme from November 1 to 6, bringing together overseas media representatives and social media influencers from 19 countries and regions to explore the city’s growing role as a gateway to China.

The six-day initiative, titled “Go China In Sanya”, formed part of the “Why China: Discovering Sanya” international communication campaign, aimed at introducing the city’s tourism attractions, cultural heritage, economic development and opportunities under the Hainan Free Trade Port.

The event was guided by the Publicity Department of the CPC Sanya Municipal Committee, organised by the Sanya Tourism Development Bureau, supported by the Sanya Municipal Cyberspace Administration and implemented by the Hainan branch of China News Service International Communication Group.

The official launching ceremony was held on November 2 at Luhuitou Scenic Area, where local officials highlighted Sanya’s efforts to strengthen international tourism, cross-cultural exchanges and economic openness.

Addressing the ceremony, Li Yingting, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Sanya Municipal Committee and head of its Publicity Department, described Sanya as a city where mountains, the sea and urban life come together.

He said Sanya was developing into a modern coastal destination that offers opportunities for living, tourism and business while reflecting China’s increasing openness and economic dynamism.

During the six-day programme, international media representatives explored Sanya’s remarkable natural landscapes and cultural attractions, including Luhuitou Scenic Area, Tianya Haijiao, Daxiaodongtian, Wuzhizhou Island and West Island. The visits offered opportunities to discover beautiful coastal scenery, marine conservation initiatives, and the traditions of a century-old fishing village. At Yazhou Ancient City, participants experienced traditional architecture, Yazhou folk songs, and Li ethnic cultural performances, gaining insights into the region’s rich cultural heritage. Visits to Sanya Bay, Dadonghai, Tianya Town and the First Market also provided a closer look at local communities, traditional cuisine and the city’s vibrant coastal lifestyle.

Beyond its natural and cultural attractions, the participants explored Sanya’s modern tourism, education and business sectors through visits to Hongzhou International Yacht Marina, Atlantis Sanya, the CDF Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex and Sanya Joy City. They also discovered traditional Chinese medicine and wellness tourism at the Sanya International Friendly Traditional Chinese Medicine Sanatorium, international hospitality education at Hainan Lausanne Tourism University, and tropical agriculture at Durian Valley in the Yucai Ecological Zone. These experiences highlighted how Sanya combines cultural preservation and natural beauty with modern tourism infrastructure, economic development, and international engagement.

The programme took place as China entered the first year of its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), alongside the implementation of special customs operations at the Hainan Free Trade Port.

According to information presented at the launch ceremony, nationals of 88 countries can benefit from visa-free entry arrangements. At the same time, immigration clearance for an individual traveller can take as little as 30 seconds. Sanya has also established 38 international passenger air routes connecting the city with destinations across Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Russia and other major markets.

As of October 24, more than one million passengers had passed through immigration at Sanya Phoenix International Airport this year, representing a year-on-year increase of 30.3 percent. These developments reflect the city’s efforts to improve international connectivity and attract more overseas visitors.

For audiences in Bangladesh and other countries, the programme offered a closer look at China’s efforts to connect cultural heritage, sustainable tourism and economic development while strengthening people-to-people exchanges. The six-day exploration concluded by highlighting Sanya’s ambition to become a leading international tourism destination and an important gateway for visitors seeking to discover China.

China Correspondent: A five-day foreign media visit to China’s Shandong Province from August 10 to 14 gave international journalists and foreign friends the chance to gain firsthand insights into the province’s technological innovation, cultural heritage, ecological conservation, and high-quality development.

The visit, themed “Opportunities in China, Innovation in Qingdao,” was organized by CRI Online of China Media Group, the Information Office of the Qingdao Municipal People’s Government, and the Information Office of the Dongying Municipal People’s Government.

The delegation visited Qingdao and Dongying, where participants exchanged ideas with local communities, enterprises, cultural institutions, and development projects. Through field visits and discussions, they explored how Shandong balances technological progress, cultural preservation, environmental protection, and improvements in people’s livelihoods.

The program covered a broad range of topics, including artificial intelligence, intelligent manufacturing, biotechnology, healthcare, marine industries, rural revitalization, cultural heritage, urban renewal, and ecological conservation.

In Qingdao, the delegation gained an understanding of the city’s growing innovation capacity and saw how advanced technologies are being applied in manufacturing and other areas of daily life. Participants also explored how traditional culture integrates with modern tourism and experienced the city’s distinctive coastal culture.

The visit also highlighted efforts to promote rural revitalization and develop cultural tourism and wellness-related industries. Through interactions and cultural experiences, participants observed how traditional food and tea culture, historic neighborhoods, and local heritage are being preserved while being integrated into contemporary economic and social development.

In Dongying, the delegation explored the relationship between the Yellow River, local culture, industrial development, and ecological conservation. Located at the mouth of the Yellow River, Dongying offered an important perspective on protecting and sustainably using the river’s ecological and cultural resources.

The Yellow River was a central theme of the Dongying visit. Participants learned about the river’s historical and cultural significance and observed efforts to protect the Yellow River Delta ecosystem. They also gained insights into the city’s industrial development and its efforts to pursue technological innovation and greener growth.

The delegation further observed how ecological challenges can be transformed into opportunities for sustainable development, including through the innovative utilization of saline-alkaline land and the protection of wetlands in the Yellow River Delta.

The delegation included representatives from overseas media organizations in Bangladesh, Canada, South Korea, and Pakistan, as well as international friends from Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other countries.

An international seminar titled “The Contemporary Value of Edgar Snow’s Spirit” was held at Peking University on Tuesday (July 8), bringing together scholars, journalists, researchers and young representatives from around the world to examine the enduring legacy of renowned American journalist Edgar Snow and his role in fostering greater understanding between China and the international community.

Jointly hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Peking University, and organized by the Xinhua Institute, the seminar marked the conclusion of a six-day research and study tour conducted from July 2 to 7, retracing Snow’s historic journey through Shaanxi Province and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

During the field program, participants followed the route taken by Edgar Snow during his landmark reporting in northern Shaanxi, gaining firsthand insight into the locations that inspired his influential book, Red Star Over China. Organizers said the journey offered international delegates a deeper understanding of China’s revolutionary history, development path and the values that continue to shape the country’s modernization.

The delegation visited several key revolutionary sites, including Yan’an and Zhidan County, where they toured museums, memorial halls and former headquarters associated with the Chinese Red Army. They also explored the former site of the Counter-Japanese Military and Political University, the Bao’an Revolution Site Memorial Museum, and memorials commemorating the Red Army’s arrival in northern Shaanxi. Guided tours and historical exhibitions highlighted the hardships, determination and ideals of China’s revolutionary period.

As part of the program, participants attended the themed sharing session “Retracing Snow’s Route,” where scholars and guests discussed the lasting influence of Edgar Snow’s reporting on global perceptions of China. Delegates also watched the immersive theatrical production “Thirteen Years in Yan’an,” which vividly portrayed the revolutionary era through contemporary storytelling.

The itinerary extended beyond revolutionary history to showcase China’s progress in ecological conservation and sustainable development. In Zhongwei and other locations in Ningxia, participants learned about environmental protection initiatives along the Yellow River, the achievements of the Three-North Shelter Forest Program, and China’s efforts to balance ecological preservation with economic growth. Organizers noted that these visits demonstrated how former revolutionary regions have evolved into examples of green development and rural revitalization.

The delegation also traveled to Tongxin County, visiting the Red Army Westward Expedition Memorial Hall and other significant historical sites. Participants joined the Red Tongxin Forum, where they exchanged views with scholars and local representatives on the historical significance of the Long March, Edgar Snow’s reporting and the importance of preserving revolutionary heritage for future generations.

Addressing the seminar, speakers emphasized that Edgar Snow’s commitment to truth, objective journalism and cross-cultural communication continues to inspire journalists, academics and young people worldwide. They noted that his work presented a more authentic picture of China to the international community and helped build a foundation for mutual understanding between China and other countries.

International delegates said retracing Snow’s historic journey allowed them to gain a deeper appreciation of China’s history, culture and development beyond what could be learned through books or media reports. They described the experience as an opportunity to engage directly with historical sites, scholars and local communities.

According to the organizers, the initiative aims to strengthen international exchanges by encouraging firsthand engagement with China’s history, culture and development. By retracing Edgar Snow’s footsteps and promoting dialogue among scholars, journalists and youth from different countries, the program seeks to carry forward the values of truth, friendship and mutual respect that defined Edgar Snow’s legacy.

The event brought together approximately 200 representatives, including members of the Edgar Snow Memorial Foundation, Snow’s family members, experts, scholars and Generation Z youth from China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Egypt, Armenia and several other countries.