Jiangsu is a well-developed coastal province in China, boasting successful implementation of the opening-up policies, inclusivity and a highly export-oriented economic development. It has achieved successful overseas investment and international cooperation as well as built increasingly closer ties with the world in recent years. More than six million foreigner visitors travel to Jiangsu every year, while a further 100,000 work and study in the province. Together with the local people, they have witnessed the fast economic and social development of the province.
The Information Office of the People's Government of Jiangsu initiated the "Happy Time in Jiangsu" program in 2010, as an international cultural exchange brand. A variety of activities, including cultural and art performances, sports games, music events, folk custom displays, photography events and Chinese language promotion activities, are held under the program every year to help foreigners learn more about Chinese culture, especially the Jiangsu culture. The program aims at building a friendship bridge for better communication between the people in Jiangsu and other parts of the world.
As usual, diversified "Happy Time in Jiangsu" events are planned throughout the year of 2017. As a highlight of this year's events, dragon boat teams composed of foreign members from Ca'Foscari University of Venice as well as several schools in Nanjing and Changzhou competed with the local teams in the 2017 Jinji Lake Dragon Boat Race. In the following few months, a series of cultural exchange activities will be held jointly with other related provincial and municipal government departments, to attract more foreign friends to Jiangsu to enjoy the beauty of the province and get a better understanding of the province as well as increase chances for the local people to experience the diversified cultures from all over the world.