University students take part in a cultural event in Lianyungang, Jiangsu. [Photo/Jiangsu Ocean University]

Over 200 international students from 54 countries and 37 universities across Jiangsu province gathered in Lianyungang from May 16 to 17 for the 2025 "Reading Jiangsu" event, a cultural exchange initiative aimed at deepening foreign students' understanding of Chinese culture through literature and immersive experiences.

Students learn about crystals in Lianyungang. [Photo/Jiangsu Ocean University]

Launched in 2023, this innovative program utilizes classic literary works and regional culture as a foundation for cultural learning. The initiative encourages international students to engage in extensive reading while connecting their literary experiences to real-life contexts. This approach facilitates a deeper understanding of the richness and complexity of Chinese civilization. Moreover, an increasing number of "Jiangsu Storytellers" have emerged from the program, inspiring more foreign students in China to embrace both reading and cultural exploration.

Students tour the city to learn about its culture. [Photo/Jiangsu Ocean University]

The Lianyungang event, the first of this year's five themed sessions, included a variety of activities: a Journey to the West-themed class, mini-lectures on the city’s cultural heritage, a reading-sharing session, and explorations of local industry and history.

Students received copies of the classic novel Journey to the West and visited iconic sites such as Huaguo Mountain, the Water Curtain Cave, and Yunyu Peak to experience the mythical settings of the story. They also toured the local Crystal City and a cross-border e-commerce industrial park to witness the fusion of traditional Eastern aesthetics with modern digital innovation.

The 2025 "Reading Jiangsu" campaign is set to continue in Taizhou, Wuxi, Suqian, and Nantong, focusing on themes such as traditional Chinese medicine, water culture of Jiangnan, Western Chu heritage, and the legacy of Zhang Jian.