If the book From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society by the famous Chinese anthropologist Fei Xiaotong offers you the first impression of the rural culture in China, then the nationwide celebration of the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival may give you more fresh feelings about the agricultural traditions of Chinese society and the development of China's intelligent agriculture. 

In 2018, the Chinese government initiated the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival, making it the first time that a national festival has been set up exclusively for farmers. As planned, the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival will be celebrated annually on the autumnal equinox. The effort of setting up a holiday exclusively for farmers shows China's high attention to the development of agriculture, rural areas, and its people who work diligently to prop up the country's social and economic development. 

In Zhoushan, a maritime city in East China's Zhejiang Province, which is composed of over 1,000 islands, foreign staff and international students from Zhejiang Ocean University enjoyed a joyful celebration with the local farmers on the day of the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival this year. 

During their one-day visit to the New Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs Farm at the Dinghai District of Zhoushan, the group of foreign guests enjoyed a full feast of agricultural business and learned more about the advanced agricultural techniques adopted by Chinese farmers. 

Under the guidance of the farm owner Sun Zhou'en, staff and students visited the greenhouses used for planting watermelons, an aquaculture demonstration base, a base for cultivating seasonal fruits and vegetables, and a few highly advanced planting bases for cultivating rice and flowers. 

Local technicians and experts introduced those advanced agricultural techniques widely used in this farm. Both foreign students and staff gained a deeper understanding of the development of China's intelligent agriculture. 

At the end of the visit, Hasmik, an expert of The Republic of Armenia shared his working and living experience in China, "I have been working in China over the years and China has become my second hometown. I have seen the development and changes in China and hope I can work continuously in Zhoushan, China. The continuous improvement of the rural environment, the modernization of agriculture, and the growing happiness of farmers deserve the world's praise." 

Author: Ye Ke

Translator: He Zhenzhen

Correspondent: Liu Chaojie

Source: Zhejiang Ocean University