On March 30, students from Tianjin University, hailing from 36 different countries across five continents, planted 130 tree seedlings of friendship in Dajiazhuang Village, Ninghe District, Tianjin, as part of a one-day farming practice activity organized by the School of International Education.
At the village’s ecological agriculture demonstration zone, nearly one hundred students learned about China’s modern agriculture practices that prioritize ecology and green development. Engaging in tasks such as loosening soil, pruning, earthing up and watering, the students assisted each other in planting trees under the guidance of farming mentors. By the end of the day, 130 peach trees were planted to commemorate the upcoming 130th anniversary of Tianjin University in 2025.
“In China, peaches and plums are often metaphorically used to represent accomplished students. I hope that, together with the peach trees we planted today, we can live up to our university’s expectations and grow into individuals who help bridge cultural divides and contribute to a better world,” said Mroivili Faouzia from the Comoro Islands.
For Moaaz Awan, a doctoral candidate from Pakistan, the sight of small trees with interwoven roots symbolized strong friendships. During his doctoral studies, he has actively participated in various construction projects in Pakistan as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. "Over the years, I have brought back the knowledge acquired at Tianjin University to my homeland, introducing water purification systems to schools, hospitals, and parks. They are all results of the enduring China-Pakistan friendship," stated Moaaz.
In addition to the tree planting activity, the School of International Education at Tianjin University held an unveiling ceremony to mark the establishment of an agricultural practice base for more than 3,000 international students at TJU.
Jin Xuan, the Party Secretary of the School of International Education, highlighted that agricultural practice forms an integral part of the educational program for international students at TJU. "Engaging in physical work in the fields allows international students to gain firsthand knowledge about rural development in China and fosters a sense of collaboration," noted Jin. She further emphasized that regular farming activities at the base would be organized for international students in accordance with the seasonal timing of farm work.
By Eva Yin & Liu Tiantian
