From June 25th to July 4th, 45 IMPA and MIDG students from 20 developing countries’ public sectors, took part in the summer field study trip to Shanghai and Shannxi province. This field study trip was designed and led by Associate Dean Ms. Meng Bo and MIDG Program Director Prof. Yin Chengzhi. Prof. Guo Yong, Senior Associate Dean of SPPM also joined part of the trip.
The first stop was Shanghai, an international metropolis and one of the most dynamic cities in China. Impressed by the eye-popping modern architectures and big shopping malls along the Bund, students were more curious about the development path of Shanghai. They learned the history and future planning of this city in the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. On June 27th, students visited Shanghai Party Institute of CPC and attended two lectures, namely “Shanghai Economic Development Review and Outlook” and “Shanghai Public Administration and Public Service Practice and Experience”.
On June 28th, IMPA and MIDG students, led by Associate Dean Ms. Meng Bo, visited Shanghai Xuhui District Administrative Service Center and Community Center and learned about the community management in Shanghai. With the help of MCC Overseas Ltd., students had the opportunity to visit Shanghai Baoye Group Corp and look over the Assembled Residential Building Project. On the last day in Shanghai, students visited SAIC-GM Pudong Jinqiao Manufacturing Base and learned about the development of automobile industry in China.
Finishing their trip in Shanghai, students went to Shaanxi province. At the starting point of the ancient Silk Road in northwestern China, Shannxi province plays a pivotal role in the Belt and Road Initiative. The coordinated development of urban and rural areas in Shaanxi provides a model for other inland regions.
On June 30th, Students visited Xi’an Jiaotong University and attended a lecture on “One Belt One Road” and had a lively discussion on this topic. In the afternoon, students visited Shaanxi Government and learned about the social development in Shaanxi as well as the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan. On July 1st, students attended a lecture on “New Rural Planning and Development” delivered by Professor Qi Jiahua from Xi`an University of Architecture and Technology in Xi’an Xianyang New District. In Xun Yi County, the only new rural demonstration county in northwest China, students had the opportunity to communicate with local officials and realize the rapid development of rural China.
Leaving Xun Yi, students went to Hong Zhuan Nanlu Community and visited the service center, rehabilitation center and exhibition hall in this community. Students raised questions of their concern to representatives of this community. They also visited factories in MCC and had a close look at the manufacturing process of heavy equipment.
This field study trip is designed as a component of the IMPA and MIDG curriculum, the purpose of which is to provide an opportunity for students to observe the development path and characteristics of China’s modernization. The well-designed trip plan provided students a great chance to learn practices and achievements of public management in China and inspired their confidence in developing their own homeland.
