An opening ceremony for the "Study in China – Navigating the Digital Silk Road: Exploration of China's Cross-Border E-Commerce Models and Business Practices" project was held at Jiangsu University on the morning of July 10.

Thirty-two international students and six accompanying teachers from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Ireland, and Switzerland gathered in Zhenjiang to commence a week-long study tour focused on cross-border e-commerce.

University leaders, including Vice President Chen Feng, and heads of various departments such as Academic Affairs, International Cooperation and Exchange, Student Affairs, Logistics Management, the Youth League Committee, the Publicity Department, the School of Management, and the Overseas Education College attended the ceremony, which was presided over by Wu Peng, Dean of the Overseas Education College.

In his address, Chen Feng extended a warm welcome to the visiting teachers and students.

He described the "Study in China" project as a journey of discovery that begins with the pursuit of knowledge and progresses through practical experience.

He expressed hope that the young participants would gain insights through classroom learning, perceive a real, multi-dimensional, and comprehensive China through firsthand participation, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship through sincere cross-cultural exchanges.

He anticipated that this study tour, connected by the "Digital Silk Road," would plant seeds of innovation and friendship, empowering the youth to become future envoys fostering connections and mutual understanding between China and the world.

Following this, Cindy Francis Hogan, representing the international accompanying teachers, and Fan Mingyue, representing the Chinese project faculty, delivered their respective speeches.

A group photo session with all guests and participants concluded the ceremony.

The project is organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange and hosted by Jiangsu University.

It focuses on themes including cross-border e-commerce models, promotion of local specialty products, and short-video marketing.

Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of China's digital economy development through classroom instruction, field visits, and group projects, aiming to narrate stories of local products and culture from an international perspective.

During the program, students will visit sites such as the Jiangsu Tea Expo Garden, the China Vinegar Culture Museum, and the Xijindu Historical and Cultural Block to experience tea culture, vinegar culture, and the local humanities of Zhenjiang.

They will complete creative tasks, including short videos and poster designs, centered on promoting tea products and time-honored brands, with their achievements to be presented at the program's closing.

This year marks the first time Jiangsu University has been approved to host a "Study in China" project, representing a breakthrough in undertaking a national-level program for international youth short-term study tours.

As a flagship initiative by the service center, "Study in China" aims to provide overseas youth with an immersive learning and practical experience to understand a real, comprehensive, and multi-faceted China.

The "Navigating the Digital Silk Road" project leverages this platform to integrate professional cross-border e-commerce education with cultural experiences in Zhenjiang, representing a valuable exploration by the university in utilizing its academic strengths to support the national strategy for opening up education.