Alexandra poses with Chen Xiuqing, a silkworm breeder in Xingfu village, Haining city, Zhejiang province. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Xingfu village in Haining, Zhejiang province welcomed a Russian visitor interested in Chinese sericulture on April 10.

Alexandra, whose Chinese name is Sa Sha, was an international student at the Chinese Academy of Art in Hangzhou from 2013 to 2017. During her four years in China, she travelled to many places and fell in love with China's profound culture.

Last summer, before graduating, Alexandra visited Xingfu village with her mother after hearing that the mulberry silk weaving techniques there are well preserved.

"At that time, I was curious about how silkworms could be turned into comfortable silk quilts," said the girl. After the visit, she brought 10 handmade quilts back to Russia, which were well-received by her family.

"I found a job at an art museum in Moscow and decided to share stories about China on my social media," Alexandra explained. She planned to share the special Haining silk weaving techniques with her readers through pictures and videos. That's why she decided to visit the village again.

"I want to introduce the wonderful techniques to my friends in countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative," she said.

Alexandra's visit also inspired local businessmen to think about selling silk products abroad.

"Our village has a long history of breeding silkworms and making silk products," said Chen Xiuqing, a local silkworm breeder. "I hire skillful villagers to work at my workshop and hope to help them increase their incomes by allowing them to practice techniques that they're good at."

"I think Alexandra's pictures and videos may help us crack the Russian market and go further along the Belt and Road routes," Chen said, adding that this will also help Xingfu village achieve rural vitalization.