A delegation of eight scholars from European think tanks visited Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province from March 22 to 23, to explore the history and development of the city.

They visited the Lisbon Maru Rescue Memorial Hall on Dongji Island, where local fishermen saved hundreds of British prisoners of war during the Lisbon Maru incident 82 years ago.

After hearing the stories shared by the descendants of the fishermen, Nicholas Williams, a UK scholar, was deeply moved and expressed his admiration for the bravery and kindness of their forebears.

In recent years, Zhoushan has hosted various activities commemorating the historical event, to continue to foster Sino-UK relations. On March 17, the Chinese documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru premiered in the UK, reintroducing the piece of history to the world.

The delegation also explored Zhoushan's ecological advancements, visiting Xinjian village, which is a model of green, low-carbon living. In 2019, the village was selected as the United Nations Habitat's "Net Zero Carbon" rural planning case in China.

Pino Arlacchi, former UN under-secretary-general, praised the village as a vivid example of sustainable development, embodying the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.

Zhoushan was the final stop on the scholars' visit to China, showcasing its blend of historical significance and modern sustainability efforts.