A group of Tsinghua University students started a six-day practice trip in Yantai, East China's Shandong province. Among them, Alexey (transliteration) from Ukraine was captivated by the city's blend of historical heritage and modern development, as well as its openness to global talents. His interest in Chinese urban development led him to explore this coastal city.

Alexey noticed the coexistence of heritage and innovation in Yantai's development. From the historic port and revolutionary history to the modern facilities of companies like CIMC Raffles and Wanhua Chemical, he was impressed by how the city's rich historic legacies fuel and enrich the growth of its modern industries, creating a cohesive urban identity.

He also observed the harmony between industry and community in the integrated governance of the Dahaiyang community and the revitalized, bustling Chaoyang Street. "An appealing city retains not only industries but also people's hearts. Yantai achieves this," said Alexey.

He was impressed by the city's blend of strong industrial foundations and openness to global talent and technology. This experience gave him a multidimensional understanding of China's urban development model and Yantai's unique potential.

The Tsinghua student group poses for a photo during their visit to Yantai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]