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An expat picks tangerines with a child at the South and North Lake Jinjiu Refuge in Jiaxing. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_dce4a5933cde]

Forty-five expats from countries including Bangladesh, Morocco, and Ukraine visited Haiyan county in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, on Nov 8 to gain an in-depth understanding of local green development and ecological transformation.

In Fengyi village of Tongyuan town, visitors learned about the area's transformation from a mining community to an eco-friendly destination. Once filled with quarries and dust, the village began closing its mines and restoring the environment in 2006 under the principle that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." Today, the village boasts many scenic attractions including floating bridges and a tea culture park.

At the village's main hall, participants attempted to make chigao — a traditional rice cake symbolizing steady progress. Guided by locals, they filled wooden molds with glutinous rice flour and pressed them into shape, while enjoying the rhythmic tapping sound of molds that echoed through the hall.

The group later visited South and North Lake Jinjiu Refuge, where they picked and tasted ripe tangerines during harvest season. Many praised the harmony between nature and agriculture.

Since early this year, Jiaxing has organized four sessions of this program, attracting over 100 international participants. The series has showcased the city's ecological progress, rural innovation, and integration of traditional culture with modern living.