By Lu Zhaoxin

From 17 to 18 April, 2021 ‘Discover Jiangsu’ first event was held in Nantong. More than 20 foreign friends from countries including Spain, Argentina, Russia and South Africa came to first city of modern China – Nantong, to feel the culture of Nantong and experience the development of China.

Birds were singing, flowers were blooming and there were lush plants at Yangtze River side of Wushan area in Nantong. Once got off the bus, the foreigners were attracted by the beautiful scene in the front. Some people took out mobile photos to take photos and record videos; some stood on plank road by the Yangtze River, watched the river and listened to the wind and sirens… ‘It’s so splendid.’ Andrew John Owen from South Africa cannot help praising. He has always lived in Nanjing. It was his first time to see the wide and splendid Yangtze River.

Entering Nantong Museum, Roya from Iran stopped before Nantong intangible cultural heritage booth, watched the successors presenting making procedure.

Rugao puppet art dates back to Han Dynasty and Tang Dynasty. In 2007, it was listed in provincial intangible cultural heritage list. Foreign friends’ eyes were glued to Jianghai puppet culture performed by Rugao puppet art troupe. Seeing one puppet wrote a large ‘Shou’ character, Jacky was surprised. After learning some skills, he tried to control a puppet to write ‘Jiang’ which is one character of Jiangsu.

On 2021 ‘Discover Jiangsu – come to first city of modern China –Nantong’ event opening ceremony, Flores Baena Alicia from Mexico was awarded blue calico and Symbol of Jiangsu Zhang Jian volume. She is studying in Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and has stayed in Jiangsu for two years. It was her first time to participate ‘Discover Jiangsu’ event. The Nantong trip interested her in traditional culture of Nantong and China.

Consul general of Spain in Shanghai Carmen Fontes visited Nantong for the first time also. After watching Zhang Jian’s deeds exhibition at Nantong Museum, and Dasheng plant history gallery at Dasheng group, she was impressed by the famous patriotic entrepreneur Zhang Jian.

It is learnt that ‘Discover Jiangsu’ is a brand visit and experience event held by Jiangsu information office. Its aim is to discover the beauty and charm of Jiangsu in the view of foreigners who stay in Jiangsu, and promote Jiangsu to the world with the help of these ‘common ambassadors’.