By Jin Lu

Ahead of World Environment Day, a group of international students from Ningbo University visited Chunhu Subdistrict in Fenghua District, Ningbo, on June 3. The group, which included students from Indonesia, Morocco, Tanzania and other countries, toured coastal villages and local companies engaged in environmental technology, learning how the region combines marine conservation with rural revitalization and digital innovation.

Their first stop was Zhanghu Village, where they took part in a fisheries-themed fuse bead craft workshop, making starfish, crabs and sea turtles. They also sampled local seafood specialties. One student said the village preserves an authentic fishing culture while undergoing a gradual modern transformation.

The visit then continued to a marine plastic waste treatment center operated by Ningbo Jianfeng New Materials Co., Ltd. With more than 20 kilometers of coastline and nearly 1,000 fishing vessels, the area had once been plagued by marine plastic waste. The facility, officially launched in June 2023, serves as a storage and transport hub for marine plastics bound for recycling and reuse.

Guided by interpreter Liu Yalan, the students observed smart sorting cabinets that automatically separated waste such as metals and fishing gear plastics. They were informed that via a local carbon credit platform, residents can earn points by depositing recyclable waste, which can be exchanged for small goods or beverages. Recovered marine plastics are then processed into everyday products, with full traceability across the chain.

"I have never seen such a complete waste recycling system before. Ningbo is a very clean and smart city," said Zheng Wenli, an Indonesian student.

"Environmental protection goes beyond national boundaries," said Waziri Miraji Mussa from Tanzania, who praised Fenghua's circular economy model as an example of strong commitment to marine conservation.

The visit highlighted the integration of ecological restoration, rural revitalization and technological innovation in coastal Fenghua. Through digitalized waste management systems and the recycling of discarded fishing gear into new materials, the area is advancing a model of sustainable development under China's broader push for green modernization.