On May 16-17, the launch ceremony of the 2025 “Reading Jiangsu” cultural event for foreign students and the “Reading Lianyungang” themed activities were held in Lianyungang. Over 200 international students from 54 countries across 37 universities in Jiangsu Province gathered in Lianyungang to explore the mythical landscapes of Journey to the West and the “Crystal Silk Road”. Our college sent four international students to participate in this event.
The activity was hosted by the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, co-organized by the Jiangsu Higher Education Association’s Committee for International Student Education Management, and jointly undertaken by Jiangsu Ocean University and Nantong University. On the afternoon of May 16, the opening ceremony took place at the Laoshan Gate Square of Mountain Huaguoshan. Attendees included Shen Xin, Vice President of Jiangsu Ocean University; Li Qinjing, Level-4 Consultant from the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education; Zhang Haijun, Secretary-General and Vice Chairman of the Jiangsu Higher Education Association’s Committee for International Student Education Management, as well as representatives from Nantong University’s College of International Education.
Since its inception in 2023, the “Reading Jiangsu” cultural event for international students has been held twice. Centered on Jiangsu’s outstanding cultural works and regional characteristics, the event aims to encourage foreign students to read widely and experience the depth and richness of traditional Chinese culture. It has cultivated a growing number of outstanding “Jiangsu Culture Ambassadors”, inspiring more international students to read enthusiastically and read quality books.
This year’s first themed event, held in Lianyungang under the theme Exploring the Mythical Realm of Journey to the West and the “Crystal” Silk Road, featured immersive activities such as on-site cultural lectures on Journey to the West, micro-classes on Lianyungang’s historical texts, reading-sharing sessions, scenario-based national education workshops, and field visits. During the two-day trip, students received a gifted copy of Journey to the West and visited Mountain Huaguoshan, where they explored iconic sites like the Water Curtain Cave and Jade Yunv Peak to connect with the novel’s legendary settings. They also toured Crystal City of Donghai and Nail Accessories Cross-border E-commerce Industrial Parks, experiencing the fusion of Eastern aesthetics and digital economy driven by internet innovation. These activities allowed participants to appreciate Lianyungang’s unique charm, blending the cultural heritage of Journey to the West, the “Mountain and Sea Silk Road”, and its thriving modern industries.
After the event, NASIR SIDDIQUE, a Pakistani doctoral student, shared: “I have studied and lived in China for eight years and I am deeply interested in traditional Chinese culture. It is an honor to visit the birthplace of Journey to the West and witness firsthand both China’s ancient civilization and its rapid modern development. I will share the knowledge and experiences I’ve gained here with my family and friends back home, serving as a cultural ambassador for China.”
Text and Photos by: Fang Lizheng
Reviewed by: Fang Kun
