Students learn woodcarving at Zhejiang Guangsha Vocational and Technical University of Construction in Dongyang, Zhejiang province. [Photo/jinhua.com.cn]

A group of students from the Republic of Congo gathered on Nov 17 for a woodcarving class at Zhejiang Guangsha Vocational and Technical University of Construction in Dongyang, a county-level city in Jinhua, Zhejiang province.

Among them was a 25-year-old student whose Chinese name is Li Bailong. He had completed three years of network studies back home, but decided to pursue a new passion in China. After a year of language study, he enrolled in a four-year woodcarving program, of which he is now in his third year.

Li shared that while the Republic of Congo is rich in forest resources, its woodcarving techniques remain traditional. Since starting from scratch in China, his skills have significantly improved. He said he hopes to return home after graduation to create his own works and teach woodcarving to others.

The university is utilizing its advantages as a center for Dongyang woodcarving, a national intangible cultural heritage, to launch the "New Silk Road International Student Recruitment Program". This initiative combines language learning, professional skills, Chinese culture, and global perspectives into a comprehensive curriculum.

The Qiaochuifang — China-Africa Handcraft Workshop Program was also launched on Oct 22 at the university, where artists from Ghana and Tanzania, as well as African students in Zhejiang, are participating in a month-long collaboration, blending Chinese and African cultural elements into woodcarvings. Their artworks aim to symbolize the friendship between China and Africa while showcasing the spirit of craftsmanship.