French students show their dyed works in Jinhua. [Photo/Jinhua Media Group]

The 2026 International Youth Summer Camp of University of Orleans-Indre University Institute of Technology concluded at Jinhua University of Vocational Technology on June 28.

This 12-day camp, which began on June 19 in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, welcomed over 20 French students and featured three workshops: the Plant Dye Workshop allowed students to extract natural colors; the Wuzhou Kiln Workshop offered hands-on experience with clay and fire; and the Woodcraft Workshop provided insights into craftsmanship through carving.

Each participant crafted a unique tea-culture set, including a plant-dyed tea towel, Wuzhou kiln tea tray, and wooden tea scoop, all reflecting Jinhua's cultural symbols.

Students visited innovation parks, observed drone test flights, and engaged in discussions on rural vitalization with local youth. French teacher Morgane Maillard highlighted the experience of China's pulse during this visit, different from just learning from books.

During Dragon Boat Festival on June 19, students participated in traditional activities such as dragon boat racing and bench dragon dances. Student Romain Delhomme said that rowing with Chinese friends offered a firsthand experience of Chinese culture.

This camp, part of the Ministry of Education's Young Envoys Scholarship (YES) program in Jinhua, marked a significant step in deepening ties between Jinhua and France.