Bridging seas: French students meet Ningbo's mega port

Students visit Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. [Photo/TICC]

From Aug 27 to Sept 8, the Bridging Seas and Cultures academic training camp on Chinese culture and heritage for French students was officially held by the Ningbo University and Universite d'Angers Joint College. Nineteen students from the Department of Human Geography and Urban-Rural Planning at Universite d'Angers embarked on a journey to China, full of curiosity and anticipation, to explore the twin cities of Hangzhou and Ningbo.

On the morning of Sept 3, the students visited Beilun Port in Meishan Port Area of the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. Ascending to the 9th-floor observation platform, they were greeted by a sweeping view of the busy port operations. Towering stacks of containers, streams of trucks moving in orderly fashion, and the rhythmic loading and unloading of cargo captured the students' attention. The sheer scale and energy of this world-class port left the French students amazed, prompting many to take out their cameras and phones to capture the awe-inspiring scene.

As the world's busiest port by cargo throughput for 16 consecutive years, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port surpassed 1.3 billion metric tons of cargo in 2024. Meishan Port alone hosts the world's largest automated container terminal, with deep-water berths capable of accommodating the largest container ships globally. The port's massive scale and cutting-edge infrastructure vividly showcase Ningbo's strength and responsibility as a major hub in the East.

On the rooftop terrace, a guide provided a detailed introduction to Beilun Port's scale and operations. Hundreds of shipping routes connect the port to countries and regions across the globe, embodying the spirit of "Future, Let's Go Together". Ningbo University faculty translated the explanations into French, helping the students grasp the port's global standing and unique appeal through concrete numbers and examples.

Next, the students entered a lecture room to experience the Meishan digital visualization system, gaining deeper insight into the port's intelligent management. The guide demonstrated the entire process — from automated trucks and container yards to smart scheduling systems — summarizing the benefits of Beilun Port's smart system in four key points. These intelligent operations have propelled Ningbo-Zhoushan Port to the forefront of efficiency and cost reduction worldwide, while attracting more international clients. The guide also noted that a French shipping company frequently docks here, which sparked particular interest among the students. During the interactive Q&A, students eagerly asked questions and marveled at the advantages and impact of smart technology.

Tom Salle shared his impressions: "This is my first visit to Ningbo, and I had hardly known about the city before. Over these past two days, I've experienced its modernity firsthand. The city is constantly being built and renewed, and today's visit to the port was truly impressive. Its level of modernization surpasses most ports in France." Esther Rene, also from Universite d'Angers, added: "The port's scale is breathtaking, and I'm curious about everything here. Although we've only seen a few places in Ningbo so far, I'm already looking forward to coming back to explore more of the city."

The Ningbo University-Universite d'Angers joint summer camp has become an annual tradition. From classrooms to ports, from history to modernity, French students experience Ningbo's pace, energy, and culture in just a few days. These cross-cultural exchanges not only deepen their understanding of China but also broaden their perspectives and inspire new ways of thinking.

Looking ahead, Ningbo University will continue to provide such platforms, welcoming more young French students to experience Ningbo, share in its culture, and contribute to the ongoing story of cross-border youth exchange.