By Huang Yanming and Ren Yibin

  On 21st March, Tongzhou held a Chinese and foreign cultural exchange activity. More than ten foreign friends working and living in Nantong, who are from multiple countries including South Africa, Britain, the United States and Philippines, and journalists from more than ten media gathered in Tongzhou, to experience the charm of Tongzhou culture and witness the development achievements of Tongzhou together. 

  The first stop of the event was Nantong State Foreign Language School in Pingchao Town, Tongzhou District. Here, foreign teachers and students together introduced customs, culture and food of various places around the world by vivid and interesting presentations.

  After that, they went to Nantong Feiyun Craft Furniture Co., Ltd. Here, the foreign friends went to the workshop, and experienced the craft of traditional Chinese woodworking at a close distance. Ryan from South Africa is a primary school teacher. He showed great interest in the wood carving craftsmanship here. He said that the visit not only let him have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and history, but also provided precious materials and inspiration for his teaching work. ‘I look forward to having more opportunities to learn more about Chinese culture in the future.’ Ryan said with expectations. 

  They also went to the ecological green space to the north of Husutong Yangtze River Bridge and the port of Hengli (Nantong) Advanced Textile Materials. Here, the rapid development of Tongzhou deeply impressed everyone. Garla Scheerpers has worked and lived for some time in Nantong. She said that although Nantong is not very large, the transportation is very convenient. She often travels to other places by train. 

  In the end, they went to the Intercontinental Dream Island located on Kaisha Island, Wujie Town, Tongzhou District. The blooming plum flowers and soon-to-bloom cheery flowers became the focus of people’s cameras. They stopped to watch and take photos. ‘It is very beautiful!’ A foreigner praised, ‘in the future I will surely recommend this place to more friends.’ 

【背景阅读】

通州举办中外文化交流活动

    3月21日，通州举办中外文化交流活动，来自南非、英国、美国、菲律宾等多个国家的十余名在南通工作、生活的外国友人，以及十多家媒体的记者齐聚通州，共同领略通州的文化魅力，见证通州的发展成就。

    活动首站来到了位于通州区平潮镇的南通州外国语学校。在这里，外籍教师们与孩子们携手，通过生动有趣的展示，向大家介绍了世界各地的风俗、文化和美食。 

    随后，一行人来到南通飞云工艺家具有限公司。在这里，外国友人们深入车间一线，近距离感受到了中国传统木工工艺。来自南非的瑞恩是一名小学老师，对这里的木雕工艺表现出了浓厚的兴趣。他表示，这次参观不仅让他对中国文化和历史有了更深入的了解，也为他的教学工作提供了宝贵的素材和灵感。“我非常期待未来能有更多机会深入了解中国的文化。”瑞恩满怀期待地说。

    大家还来到了沪苏通长江公铁大桥北的生态绿地以及恒力（南通）纺织新材料有限公司的码头。在这里，通州的快速发展让大家深感震撼。Garla Scheerpers已经在南通工作生活了一段时间，她表示南通虽然城市规模不大，但交通却十分便利，自己经常乘坐火车出门游玩。

    最后，一行人来到了位于通州区五接镇开沙岛上的洲际梦幻岛。这里盛开的梅花和即将绽放的樱花成了大家镜头下的焦点。大家纷纷驻足观赏、拍照留念。“这里实在太美了！”一位外国友人赞叹道，“未来有机会我一定推荐更多的朋友来这里参观游玩。”

    作者：黄艳鸣 任溢斌