On April 26, faculty and student Party members from the Graduate Student Party Branch of the Journalism Institute, the Graduate Student Party Branch of the Social Thought Institute, and the Faculty Party Branch of the Journalism and Communication Department at Zhejiang University's College of Media and International Culture collectively traveled to Anji's Yucun Village for a Party Day event under the Leading the Way initiative. Zhang Mengxin, a mentor at the Wang Minghua Graduate Student Party Building Studio and a professor at the college, along with retired faculty member and professor Li Jie, participated in the study and research activities.
The delegation first visited the Anji (Yucun) Ecological Civilization International Communication Center and its international communication platform observation points. Adhering to a content-first approach, the center leverages county-level integrated media platforms, national and international communication channels, and local content creators to produce globally resonant materials on themes such as youth rural revitalization and biodiversity. Additionally, it has successfully established observation points for international communication platforms in Anji, attracting regular media coverage. Through strategic planning, think tank development, and leveraging influential figures, Yucun has become a Chinese calling card connecting with the world.
Zhang Mengxin emphasized the importance of deepening collaboration between the college and the Yucun Ecological Civilization International Communication Research Center. She highlighted the potential for creating high-quality works amid Anji's lush landscapes to better convey China's stories in the new era to a global audience.
On August 15, 2005, during his tenure as Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, Xi Jinping visited Yucun Village and first proposed the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. Twenty years later, Zhejiang University faculty and students retraced Xi’s steps, witnessing firsthand the village’s remarkable transformation.
From shutting down mines to being named one of the World’s Best Tourism Villages, Yucun has pioneered a sustainable development model integrating modern agriculture, cultural tourism, and new economic initiatives. Han Shiyu, a member of the Journalism Institute’s Graduate Student Party Branch, shared her reflections: I’ve personally witnessed the transformative power of the 'Two Mountains' philosophy. As journalism and communication students and Party members, we must strive to tell Yucun’s story to the world, contributing to the global dissemination of ecological civilization practices.
The event also embodied the spirit of improving research and investigation under the Central Eight-Point Decision. By engaging directly with rural communities and summarizing communication strategies, participants gained a profound understanding of Yucun’s journey from a mountainous region to an internationally recognized model.
In his closing remarks, Zhang Mengxin encouraged attendees: We must learn from Yucun—a small village that connects with global and domestic media to amplify its voice. Students should take initiative, embrace innovation, and strive to make significant contributions to international communication.