Overseas students seek Nanjing origins
(chinadaily.com.cn) Updated：2019-07-25
Participants in the root-tracing program pose for a group photo at Nanjing Xiaozhuang University on July 23. [Photo/jschina.com.cn]
Some 70 students from Spain, Italy, South Korea and Kenya embarked on a journey to Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, July 23, to seek their Chinese origins.
Yang Zhongxue, vice president of Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, host of the cultural immersive activity, said the journey would introduce the students diverse aspects of Nanjing, from its endless striving for economic modernization to its rich cultural legacy.
Sofia Ni from Italy said she was looking forward to witnessing the splendid night landscapes of Nanjing, as she was impressed by those in Beijing and Shanghai.
She said she was also eager to visit the local museum, as an ardent gallery-goer. She said she wanted to discover more stories behind Chinese art works. The Porcelain Tower, a historical pagoda erected during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) which was mostly destroyed in the 19th century, was also among her must-visits.
An 18-year-old Spaniard, Juan Antonio, expressed interest in China's business market.
"I prefer practical work than studying and doing research, so I want to start up my own company and have my business expanding to China," the youngster said.
Organized by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council since 1999, the root-tracing journeys have guided numerous youngsters towards a fuller understanding of their Chinese origins while enhancing their sense of national identity.
