beijing
Video Production: Yang Yi, Qiang Yufei
On the afternoon of July 30, international students from Turkey, Venezuela, Indonesia, Guatemala, Ecuador, and other countries currently studying in China arrived in Ninghe District, Tianjin. They embarked on the rural segment of the study camp, gaining firsthand insight into China’s agricultural transformation and recent achievements in rural revitalization.
Staff introduces the development of Ninghe's agricultural industry and local specialties to the international youth
Photo by Liu Ying
Ninghe District boasts a superb ecological environment, with five primary and twelve secondary river channels—earning it the nickname “Jiangnan of the North.” The Qilihai Wetland in Ninghe is one of only three wetlands in the world with ancient coastal characteristics. Its negative ion concentration is 30 to 60 times higher than in urban centers, earning it the title “natural oxygen bar.”
Ninghe holds one-tenth of Tianjin’s arable land and cultivates over 370,000 mu (approx. 24,600 hectares) of Xiaozhan rice, giving it a longstanding reputation as a “land of fish and rice.”
The international students visited the Jin’gu Qilihai Specialty Store of the Ninghe Agricultural Development Group, where staff introduced them to Ninghe’s agricultural development and key local products such as Qilihai river crabs and Jin’gu Xiaozhan rice. They were also introduced to intangible cultural heritage crafts such as ceramics and paper-cutting, and received Ninghe-themed cultural fridge magnets as souvenirs.
They sampled regional specialties like Yuelong sweet potatoes and reed-root water chestnut tea, which were met with enthusiastic praise. Antonio from Ecuador and Meili from Turkey were especially fascinated by the Yuechuan chili sauce, describing its flavor as earthy, aromatic, and unforgettable.
International youth rave about Ninghe’s chili sauce
Photo by Liu Ying
International students Li Hongyang (left) and Wu Ruilong (center) join a livestream to help promote rural products
Photo by Sun Jiawang
Inside a rural livestream studio, the hosts and staff introduced the unique flavor of sesame sauce eggs to online viewers. The interactive format caught the attention of Wu Ruilong from Venezuela and Li Hongyang from Guatemala, who eagerly volunteered as guest livestreamers. They greeted the audience on camera and enthusiastically promoted Ninghe’s specialty products.
Li Hongyang said, “This was my first time joining a livestream like this. I tried the sesame sauce egg today and it was absolutely delicious—slightly salty and very different from the flavors I’m used to. It was a pleasant surprise! I highly recommend everyone try sesame sauce eggs—they’re really tasty!”
International youth learn to cook a local Ninghe specialty: crab stewed with pickled vegetables
Photo by Sun Jiawang
International youth learn to make shaomai, a traditional Chinese snack
Photo by Liu Ying
After learning that Qilihai river crabs from Ninghe are not only tender and flavorful but also protected as a national geographic indication product, the international students were eager to try them. They visited the renowned Halal restaurant Fushunlou in Ninghe, where they learned to cook a local crab dish under the guidance of livestream host Feng Zhiyi.
“Follow my lead,” Feng instructed. “First, lift the crab shell, remove the gills, use a small spoon to scoop out the roe, then cut the crab in half and trim off the legs for later…”
Under Feng’s guidance, the international youth quickly prepared the crabs, seasoned them, and started cooking. Before long, the aromatic dish—crab stewed with pickled vegetables—was ready to enjoy.
They also learned to make the traditional Chinese snack shaomai with the help of the restaurant’s chefs. Tasting the dishes they had prepared themselves, the students gave a thumbs-up and exclaimed, “Beautiful Ninghe – a true paradise for food lovers!”
International youth check in at the Jin’gu Qilihai Specialty Store of Ninghe Agricultural Development Group
Photo by Liu Ying
In recent years, Ninghe District has advanced its rural revitalization strategy through the “East Vegetables, West Grain, South Water, North Livestock” agricultural layout. It is working to build a strong seed industry and to integrate agriculture, culture, and tourism. Signature brands like Qilihai river crabs and Jin’gu Xiaozhan rice are leading the way in high-quality modern agriculture, with encouraging results.
Last year, the Ninghe Agricultural Development Group’s total sales of agricultural products exceeded ¥320 million. Technological advancements have greatly enhanced production management and efficiency. For example, the Yuechuan chili sauce production line can produce 3,500 bottles per hour, with an annual output reaching up to 20,000 tons.
Looking ahead, Ninghe plans to further expand both its online and offline sales channels, strengthen its branding, and explore international market opportunities—bringing more high-quality Ninghe agricultural products to consumers across China and around the world.
(By Liu Yifei)
Copyright ©1997- by CRI Online All rights reserved
