Qiantang leverages international students for global outreach

Before heading to the Paris Olympics, Shakhzod Mirzaev, the 27-year-old team leader of Uzbekistan's U23 football team, took on a new role as Qiantang's first International Communication Ambassador.

On July 2, Qiantang district held its inaugural "Hi, Qiantang!" International Communication Exchange Conference, during which Mirzaev, a 2020 graduate of Hangzhou Dianzi University, discussed his strong bond with Qiantang.

"As I head to the Olympics, I'll proudly represent Hangzhou as Qiantang's International Communication Ambassador," he said.

During the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou last year, the Uzbekistan team trained at Hangzhou Dianzi University, sparking interest in Mirzaev's return to his alma mater. "I have a deep fondness for Qiantang, and I might pursue my master's degree here in September!" he added.

Many international students like Mirzaev reside in Qiantang. To leverage their networks for broader international outreach, Qiantang and 14 local universities launched an initiative, aiming to offer international students a platform to learn about Chinese culture and Zhejiang's development and enhancing their ability to share authentic Chinese stories globally.

Qiantang also appointed its first group of Overseas Communication Officers to bolster international communication efforts. Sasha from Russia, a graduate student at China Jiliang University, is among them. "Qiantang is a great place to live, partly thanks to facilities like sports centers and theaters," Sasha noted.

Additionally, Qiantang's TikTok account "Hi, Qiantang!" was launched recently, marking another step forward for the district's innovative international outreach strategy.