From July 9 to 12, a 31-member U.S. university student delegation participating in Peking University’s 2025 China Deep Dive Program visited Ningxia for a summer research and study tour.

The delegation visited Yuanshi Vineyard, savored the rich and mellow wines from the eastern foot of the Helan Mountains in Ningxia, and witnessed the integration of Ningxia’s wine industry with ecological governance.

At the Xixia Imperial Tombs, the delegation learned in detail about the history of the Xixia dynasty, and witnessed the the integration of various cultures as well as the inclusiveness and sophistication of the Chinese civilization.

In Minning Town, the delegation listened to the story of Fujian-Ningxia collaboration and paired assistance. They learned about China’s poverty alleviation practices, particularly women’s entrepreneurship programs, and experienced intangible cultural heritages like paper-cutting. They also gained valuable insights into China’s effective strategies for integrating poverty alleviation achievements with rural revitalization efforts.

At the Memorial Hall of the Red Army’s Westward March, the delegation learned about the story of Edgar Snow, a famous American writer and correspondent, who conducted interviews in Yuwangbu (now Tongxin County) of Ningxia during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and wrote the book Red Star Over China. Through the display of cultural relics and materials, everyone had a deeper resonance with the past, which boosted the mutual understanding between Chinese and American youths.

In Zhongwei City, the delegation visited industrial bases for PV power generation and goji berry, learning about the development of key industries in Ningxia. At the Shapotou Desertification Control Demonstration Site, both Chinese and American youths listened attentively to the introduction of the sand fixation initiatives in the Tengger Desert. Under the instruction of a desertification control worker, they experienced making straw checkerboards. Through these, they tapped into China’s concept, resolve and achievements in ecological governance.

The China Deep Dive: Summer Research and Study Program for U.S. University Student Delegations is a China-U.S. exchange program for young students initiated and organized by Peking University. It aims to invite young American students to visit China for a deeper understanding of the vibrant and appealing stories of today’s China, and contribute their share to enhancing cross-cultural understanding, promoting sustainable development goals and addressing global challenges. “There have been longstanding friendly exchanges between the Chinese and American peoples. We are also a bridge of friendship to enhance mutual connection and understanding. I will share the stories I’ve seen and the wonderful experiences during the trip with more people.” said Trevor Williams, a student from Cornell University. 

Going forward, the Ningxia Foreign Affairs Office will build friendly bridges for teenagers, invite more international youths to Ningxia for visits and exchanges, promote mutual understanding and friendship among the teenagers, and nurture more youth resources for the steady development of China’s relations with other countries in the world.