A Delegation of Young Geographers from the RGS Takes Part in an Academic Exchange in Eastern China

A delegation from the Russian Geographical Society took part in an extensive academic exchange program in Eastern China from May 15 to 24. The visit was the result of cooperation between the RGS and the Geographical Society of China.

The program began in Shanghai, where the guests were warmly welcomed by the East China Normal University (ECNU), where Russian geographers and their Chinese colleagues took part in a symposium on modern challenges in geography. Jun Wang, Vice-President of the Geographical Society of China and Director of the School of Geographic Sciences of the ECNU, addressed the delegation with a welcoming speech.

«We are united by a sincere passion for exploring the world. It is this desire to understand the complex processes taking place on our planet that makes international exchanges so valuable. We are always happy to share our experience and views, and we are interested in new ideas from our foreign colleagues,» said Jun Wang.

As part of exploring the city, the participants visited the Bund waterfront area, the ancient Yuyuan Garden, as well as the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center.

The next destination was the province of Zhejiang, where the delegation of the RGS visited the city of Jinhua and took part in the International Conference on Smart Agriculture at Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU). The Russians also visited the Museum of Africa at the ZJNU Institute of African Studies and the Jinhua Academy of Agricultural Sciences research base.

In Jinhua, the representatives of Russia were joined by the Secretary General of the Geographical Society of China, Dai Wang. He noted that the city was an example of a successful combination of economic growth and preservation of ecological balance.

«Jinhua is a city with a rich scientific heritage, a favorable environmental situation, and at the same time high indicators of economic development — it is one of the top 50 largest cities in China in terms of economic indicators. Such a harmonious combination of sustainable growth, environmental well-being, and intellectual capital is not found in every region of the country,» Dai Wang emphasized.

As part of the cultural and educational program, excursions to the ancient city of Gushi and the Cave of Two Dragons were organized for the participants. This allowed for a deeper understanding of the region’s features and its natural and cultural heritage.

The next two days were devoted to exploring Yiwu and Pujiang counties. The participants visited the world’s largest wholesale market Yiwu International Trade City, visited the ancient village of Songxi, where the traditions of intangible heritage are preserved, and explored the historical center of Pujiang. Special attention was paid to the digital transformation of the economy using the example of the Institute of Electronic Commerce at the Zhejiang Institute of Foreign Languages and the garment factory «Zhejiang Juyitang».

In Hangzhou, one of the oldest cultural centers in China, the young geographers met with teachers and students from the Institute of Culture and Tourism of Zhejiang School of International Studies (ZISU). The delegation also visited the Grand Canal and Xi Lake, UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Great Canal is one of the oldest currently operating hydraulic structures in the world, the main waterway of the PRC connecting the north and south of the country. The canal crosses the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers, two main centers of ancient Chinese culture and the cradle of civilization, and its history dates back more than 2,500 years.

The final stage of the program was held at Fudan University in Shanghai, one of the leading universities in China. The delegation was received by representatives of the Institute of Historical Geography of China, who spoke about the project on the historical study of the Yellow River and introduced the participants to the scientific library of the institute.

The young geographers were also addressed by the staff at the Laboratory of Complex Analysis of Historical Processes, who spoke about the use of new technologies in the field of historical geography and presented their new works: «Atlas of Historical Floods and Droughts» and «Atlas of Historical Earthquakes in China».

Informal contacts became an important part of the trip. The delegation established useful contacts with young Chinese scientists and local students, which will undoubtedly contribute to the development of a bilateral scientific dialogue. This visit was not just an educational trip but an important step in the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of geography, education, and youth interaction. New joint projects and return visits are ahead.

«The long-term exchange program implemented by our organizations has become a unique opportunity for Chinese and Russian geographers to establish academic and cultural cooperation, deepen mutual understanding and strengthen friendship between our countries. Since 2017, more than 70 participants have participated in the project, many of them continue to work together, conduct research, and publish scientific articles. This is an unforgettable experience for young professionals who demonstrate a keen interest in exploring the world and a desire to share knowledge,» said Zhang Xuanzi, Director of International Cooperation at the Geographical Society of China.