The "Embrace Changsha" event for foreign friends—hiking Meixi Lake & exploring Changsha—kicks off at Taohualing Park.
This morning, the "Embrace Changsha" event, jointly organized by the Management Committee of Changsha’s West Grand New Area and the Changsha Municipal Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Office, was launched at Taohualing Park.
Over 130 international teachers and students from universities such as Hunan University, Central South University, and Hunan Normal University, as well as expats from development zones including the Economic and Technological Development Zone, participated in the event. They explored Meixi Lake and Qiaokou Ancient Town in Wangcheng District on foot, jointly promoting a low-carbon, ecological lifestyle while experiencing Changsha’s economic development and the achievements of building a "Two-Oriented Society."
Ray Hanjie from the United States, who has been studying and living in Changsha for nearly a decade, shared that he enjoys visiting Orange Isle and Yanghu Wetland Park. "Changsha has changed a lot in recent years. In the second half of this year, the second river-crossing tunnel—the Nanhu Road Xiangjiang Tunnel—will open, and you can also take the metro," said Ray.
In recent years, the West Grand New Area has focused on building an "eco-city, cultural city, prosperous city, and innovative city." It has consistently integrated the concepts of low-carbon, environmental protection, and green development into urban construction and management, making it the most dynamically growing area in Changsha.
As one of the first "National Green Ecological Demonstration Zones" and "National Smart City Pilot Zones," Meixi Lake International New Town will develop a green ecological demonstration by focusing on five aspects: constructing a green ecosystem, creating a green transportation network, popularizing green building technologies, promoting green energy use, and establishing a green management platform.
In terms of green transportation, Meixi Lake International New Town will build a comprehensive system combining expressways and slow traffic routes, integrating the metro, green buses, eco-friendly electric vehicles, public bicycles, and waterway transport. Among these, the western extension (Phase I) of Metro Line 2 is set to be completed and operational in 2015; eco-friendly electric vehicles have been procured and are already in use; green buses and the Longwanggang Waterway boat system are under planning and design, with operations expected within the year.
Public data shows that by the end of last year, there were over 5,000 foreigners residing in Changsha. The event will also strengthen communication and connections between the public and international residents in Changsha, helping them better integrate into the city, work and study with peace of mind, and enjoy life.