Students from Xiamen University relax and have a chat with students from the University of the Philippines. [Photo/cri.cn]

A group of students and teachers from Xiamen University returned to China on July 28 after a one-week exchange trip to the Philippines.

During their stay, the students held discussions with their Philippines counterparts and organized Chinese teaching activities at the University of the Philippines and the University of Makati.

"My grandfather came from Fujian and I can speak the Fujian dialect. I love China," said Michael Tan, principal of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

He also expressed his expectation that students from top universities in China and the Philippines could deepen their friendships and understanding through more exchanges.

The students also visited local companies as well as Chinese companies in the Philippines, among them Huawei. They conducted a survey on the business environment in the Philippines, hoping to provide constructive suggestions on the development of Chinese companies in the country.

"The Belt and Road Initiative brings new impetus for sustainable development in the 21st century and creates new opportunities for young people in the countries involved in the BRI, including the youth of China," said the leading teacher of the group, Wu Guangxi.