Over 20 international students from 10 countries participate in a cultural exchange in Jiande's Qianhe village on Nov 30. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Over 20 international students from 10 countries participated in a cultural exchange in Jiande's Qianhe village on Nov 30, the birthplace of the renowned "Qianhe Women's Spirit".

Qianhe Village gained prominence in the 1950s as women broke traditional norms to engage in agricultural production, embodying the spirit of independence, courage, collaboration, and resilience. At the Qianhe Women's Spirit Base, the students learned about the origins and legacy of this iconic movement.

The event included stories shared by local leaders like Wang Lina, Party secretary of Qianhe village, and young entrepreneur Hong Wenya, who have drawn on the spirit to lead initiatives such as improving village infrastructure and promoting local products through e-commerce.

International students try their hands at grinding soy bean milk. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]

Students also engaged in hands-on activities such as writing "Women hold up half the sky" in Chinese calligraphy, crafting paper flowers, and making tofu, gaining a deeper appreciation for Chinese culture.

"The courage of women here in 1955 is inspiring," said Yuna from Tajikistan. "Qianhe Women's Spirit sets an example for all women, then and now." Lina from Russia noted, "It's made me more confident."

An international student holds a banner reading "Women hold up half the sky" with Wang Lina, Party secretary of Qianhe village. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]