From October 26 to 29, 2024, Professor Zhao Xiaobin, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and professor of Globalisation and Development (GAD) Programme, led a field trip to western Hunan Province. Students from the courses “China’s Rural Economic Development and Transformation under Globalisation” and “Global Trade and Investment Routes” participated, focusing on rural economic development, trade integration, and resource management.

A total of 29 students participated in the study tour, visiting sites such as local economic crop farms, new rural development projects, Miao ethnic villages, Jupiter Era Battery Manufacturing Company, Snow Beer Brewery, Zhangjiajie Biotechnology Company, and a local village primary school. Combining theory with practice, the students gained valuable insights into the key factors driving rural development, resource management, and industrial investment in the Xiangxi region.

The first day in Yongshun, students visited a Camellia oleifera plantation, where the village chief introduced the plantation’s operation, yields, and profits. They also toured a kiwi orchard, learning about kiwi cultivation from local farmers.

In Baojing, the group explored a beautiful new rural development project and learned about rural tourism initiatives from the village secretary, followed by a group photo in front of the village name monument.

The day concluded with free group explorations of a local Miao ethnic village.

On the second day, the professor and students visited the Jupiter Era battery manufacturing company and Snow Beer factory in Jishou, and a local biotech company in Zhangjiajie. They gained a deep understanding of the local manufacturing industry development.

The professor and students also visited a local primary school in Zhangjiajie to understand the current state of rural education. The students donated stationery and sports equipment to the school and had friendly interactions with the children.

On the last day, the professor and students visited the Tianmen Mountain scenic area in Zhangjiajie and took a group photo. They returned to the UIC campus in Zhuhai in the afternoon, successfully concluding the research trip.