A five-day foreign media delegation visited China’s Shandong Province from August 10 to 14 under the theme “Opportunities in China, Innovation in Qingdao”, giving international journalists and friends a closer look at the province’s technological innovation, cultural heritage, ecological protection and high-quality development.
The visit was organised by CRI Online of China Media Group, the Information Office of the Qingdao Municipal People’s Government and the Information Office of the Dongying Municipal People’s Government.
During the visit, the participants travelled through Qingdao and Dongying, engaging with local communities, enterprises, cultural institutions and development projects. Through first-hand experiences and exchanges, they gained a broader understanding of Shandong’s efforts to promote innovation, preserve cultural heritage, improve people’s well-being and pursue green development.
The programme covered a wide range of themes, including artificial intelligence, intelligent manufacturing, biotechnology, healthcare, marine industries, rural revitalisation, traditional culture, urban renewal and ecological conservation.
In Qingdao, participants witnessed the city’s growing momentum in technological innovation and saw how emerging technologies are being applied to industry and everyday life. They also explored how traditional culture is being integrated with modern tourism and experienced the coastal city’s distinctive cultural atmosphere.
The delegation also gained insights into rural revitalisation and the development of cultural tourism and wellness industries. Traditional food and tea culture, as well as historic neighbourhoods, gave international visitors opportunities to see how local heritage is being preserved while finding new life in contemporary society.
Dongying offered another perspective on Shandong’s development. Located at the mouth of the Yellow River, the city gave participants an opportunity to explore the relationship between the river, local culture, industrial development and ecological protection.
The Yellow River was a central theme of the Dongying leg of the visit. Participants learned about the river’s cultural significance and witnessed efforts to protect and make sustainable use of its ecological resources. They also gained an understanding of the region’s industrial heritage and its ongoing transition towards more innovative and sustainable development.
The visit highlighted the close connection between economic development and environmental protection. From the innovative use of saline-alkaline land to the conservation of the Yellow River Delta wetlands, the delegation observed efforts to turn ecological challenges into opportunities for sustainable development.
“This visit allowed me to see China at the local level and experience its development directly,” said a Bangladeshi media representative. “What impressed me most is the combination of modern technology, traditional culture and green development. I believe these experiences will help me tell a more vivid story about China to international audiences.”
A participant from Pakistan also spoke positively about the journey, saying, “Shandong has shown us that development does not mean leaving tradition behind. Technology and innovation are creating new opportunities, while culture and the environment are being protected. The visit gave us a deeper understanding of how China is pursuing modernisation and improving people’s lives.”
Representatives from overseas media outlets in Bangladesh, Canada, South Korea and Pakistan, as well as international friends from Sri Lanka, Thailand and other countries, participated in the programme.