Answering the call of dazzling sunshine and blooming flowers, nearly 30 representatives of foreign experts, business executives, entrepreneurs, and international students from 17 countries, including Brazil, France, Japan and Switzerland, who are currently living in Hangzhou, attended an activity named “A Close Contact with Beautiful Countryside for Foreigners Living in Hangzhou” on 9th and 10th April. The activity was jointly hosted by Foreign Affairs Office of Hangzhou Municipal Government, Hangzhou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Secretariat of the UCLG ASPAC Committee on the Belt and Road Local Cooperation.

The group visited Xiajiang Village, Qinchuan Ancient Village, Chun’an County Museum, Xin'anjiang Hydropower Station and other places during the two-day trip, exploring natural beauty and traditional cultures of local villages as well as listening to their success stories in environmental protection and countryside construction.

Pavlos Savvidis is an associate professor at Westlake University from Greece. According to him, the trip enabled foreigners to see for themselves how things had changed in the rural areas of China and the efforts Chinese government has made to push forward rural revitalization. He believed, and also expected this green development pattern, which strikes a balance between economy and nature, would remain in place and sustain long-term growth.

Lauri Tammi is from Finland. Having lived and worked in Hangzhou for 5 years, he can now speak Chinese fluently. This is the first time he has walked into a Chinese countryside. The fresh air, beautiful landscape, and affluent life local people are living have left a lasting impression on him. “‘Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.’ Now I start to understand how the idea works out in Chun’an this time,” he said.

Robert, now teaching at Wahaha International School, has lived in China for more than 10 years and visited many countries in his life. This time, he came to Qinchuan Ancient Village and was amazed at how well it has been preserved. He's also surprised to see that Hangzhou not only pays attention to the protection of natural environment but makes great effort to preserve historical heritage. Deeply touched, he commented that the village was a place far away from the crowds and full of fresh air where traditional culture was able to thrive.

Other participants also expressed their excitement about this trip, and recognized it as a rare opportunity to develop an insight into Hangzhou’s engagement in revitalizing its countryside and building ecological civilization apart from boosting innovation. They welcome further opportunities to know the city from different perspectives and share that knowledge with their friends at home and abroad.

Consisting of visits, lecture and workshop, this activity helps build a platform for foreigners living in Hangzhou to understand and witness the reform and development of Hangzhou.

Year 2021 marks the centenary of the Communist Part of China and the beginning of the 14th five year plan. It is also a period of paramount importance for Hangzhou as the Asian Games, metropolis building and modernization converge and pose unprecedented opportunities. Now, Hangzhou is accelerating the transition toward a socialist modernized international metropolis, a digital and smart city and a livable paradise. Instead of being bystanders to advances coming up over this period, foreigners studying, working and living in Hangzhou will join hands with Hangzhou citizens in driving the advances and making the city a better place.