Elsherbeiny Mohamed Atta Zeinelabdeen, international tourism director of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, visited Xiamen in East China's Fujian province in July and other cities for a seminar on Chinese language for government officials from Belt and Road countries.

He said that witnessing the impressive efficiency of China's modernization at Xiamen Port left a lasting impression on him.

The 21-day seminar brought together 23 officials from seven countries, including Gambia and Egypt. The curriculum integrated language courses with practical field studies on eco-city development, private enterprises and smart city governance.

During a visit to Yundang Lake, once heavily polluted but now a flourishing urban oasis, participants gained insights into Xiamen's environmental transformation.

"Egypt has also begun focusing on environmental management and protection in recent years. Xiamen's sustainable development model serves as a valuable reference," Zeinelabdeen remarked.

The program showcased China's technological advancements. Allieu Sylvester Bockarie, deputy director of Administration and Human Resources at the National Public Procurement Authority in Sierra Leone, praised his experience at the local airport which was facilitated by self-service kiosks and translation apps. "Such tech-driven solutions are what we need back home," he said.

The delegation also toured manufacturer Kelme Sportswear Co Ltd in Jinjiang, Quanzhou city, showing a keen interest in its innovative designs and high-quality products.

Bockarie, impressed by Kelme's offerings, purchased a pair of sneakers, emphasizing their affordability and quality. He invited Chinese companies to invest in Sierra Leone, highlighting the country's youth-driven market potential for sports products and its favorable policies for mutual growth in manufacturing and technology.

The seminar not only exposed participants from diverse backgrounds to China's technological convenience and efficiency, but also moved to foster deeper cooperation.

Through exchanging development experiences and identifying business opportunities, the program laid a strong foundation for promoting technology sharing and industrial partnerships involved in the Belt and Road Initiative in the future.