(Photo/Gao Xin)

The latest session of the Discover Jiangsu Program held its opening ceremony in Dongtai, a county-level city in Yancheng, on May 30, providing a great opportunity for foreigners to experience the city's cultural charm and beautiful environment, particularly the Tiaozini Wetlands recognized as world natural heritage.

Chen Boyu, an inheritor of hair embroidery, an intangible cultural heritage, showcased incredible creations that earned praises from guests at the ceremony.

Discover Jiangsu is a flagship project by the Information Office of Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, combining tours, interactions and experiences for an in-depth understanding of the province.

During the two-day tour, foreigners visited the Yellow Sea Forest Park, a green energy project that integrates wind power, solar power and fish farming, the Tiaozini Wetlands, and Badouyu Village. Throughout the trip, they enjoyed a performance of fishing song, recognized as a provincial intangible cultural heritage, and immersed themselves in Dongtai's eco-friendly development.

Dongtai is located in the middle of Jiangsu's seacoast and the northern wing of the Yangtze River Delta cities cluster. In 2022, Dongtai's regional GDP surpassed 100 billion yuan for the first time. It has been included among China's top 100 economic county-level regions for 22 consecutive years, ranking 37th in 2022.

In recent years, Dongtai has seen the rapid growth in its five pillar industries: next-generation information technology, new energy, new materials, high-end equipment and healthcare.

Dongtai also boasts a modern agriculture with nine agricultural products recognized by the national geographical indication system, including watermelon and rice, which is the largest number in Jiangsu's county-level regions. It was one of the first batch of agricultural modernization demonstration zones in China.

The city has witnessed the emergence of new businesses related to S&T research and development, information services, and cultural creativity as it has established two nationally recognized tech start-up incubators.

(CFP Photo)

Being a city for nature lovers, Dongtai is home to three distinct ecosystems: sea, wetland and forest. It's known as the "Bird Paradise", "Plain Forest" and home to the wetland recognized as world heritage site.

(CFP Photo)

Since 2021, the number of bird species recorded in the Tiaozini Wetlands has increased to 410, including 21 species under first-class national protection and 71 species under the second-class protection. Notably, the population of critically endangered spoon-billed sandpipers is estimated to be about 600 worldwide, with up to 200 of them spotted in Tiaozini alone.