African scholars visit Nanma town in Jinhua, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

The opening ceremony of the Think Tank Seminar on "Security, Governance, and Development in the Horn of Africa" recently took place at Zhejiang Normal University in Jinhua, Zhejiang province. After the ceremony, 14 members visited Nanma town in Dongyang — a county-level city in Jinhua, to learn about its rural vitalization and grassroots governance practices.

They visited shared gardens and the film and television base in Lianhe village and listened to village officials as they discussed driving rural vitalization through distinctive industries and rural tourism.

Zhang Yongjin, Party secretary of Lianhe village, spotlighted the village's ancient kiln ruins, emphasizing the fusion of agriculture, culture, and tourism. Innovations like shared gardens, unique attractions, and entertainment projects have not only enhanced the rural living environment but also led to more economic opportunities for villagers.

Meanwhile, the film and television base currently under construction aims to further bolster the village's collective economy, added Zhang.

The delegation was inspired by the village's innovative initiatives and got a deeper appreciation for China's rural charm and vitality. They left with new perspectives on rural vitalization and governance, ready to apply these lessons in their home countries to foster progress.