The team visited Tianxia Yuyuan Community in Zhenping County, Nanyang, Henan, to learn about the heartening stories of Xinjiang compatriots integrating into and thriving in central China. They also toured Zhilan Community and Hefeng Community in Ningbo, Zhejiang, to observe the innovative governance practices of a nationally recognized model collective for ethnic unity and progress. From July 21 to 31, the “Tongxin Shiliuzi” (Heart-linked Pomegranate Seeds) Publicity Team from the School of Ethnology and Sociology at SCMU, led by Chen Yun, a teacher from the Department of Sociology, carried out a two-week summer social practice program—marking its first deep engagement in both the central and eastern coastal regions of China.
From July 21 to 26, team members conducted on-site research at the jade market in Tianxia Yuyuan Community, holding face-to-face discussions with community administrators, grid managers, public security officers, and local merchants. Through these exchanges, they gained a comprehensive understanding of how the community incorporates the principle of forging a strong sense of the Chinese national community into all aspects and processes of its work. The team also leveraged their professional expertise to deliver tailored lectures to different groups. At the community’s Party-mass service center, they organized a thematic session for over 60 primary school students titled “Fostering a Strong Sense of the Chinese National Community: Be a Little Pomegranate Seed.” The children expressed eagerness to become young advocates of this initiative. For adults, a special lecture titled “Youth Actions and Reflections on Strengthening the Sense of the Chinese National Community in the New Journey” attracted more than 200 participants, earning widespread applause and praise for its theoretical depth and practical case studies. Additionally, guided by Zhao Fang, Director of Tianxia Yuyuan Community, the team visited the Red Pomegranate Party Building Exhibition Hall, learning about the community’s transformative journey from initial governance challenges to facilitating active exchange, interaction, and integration among all ethnic groups.
In addition, under the guidance of Zhao Fang, Director of Tianxia Yuyuan Community, the publicity team visited the Red Pomegranate Party Building Exhibition Hall. They gained an in-depth understanding of the community’s remarkable transformation from initial governance challenges to achieving extensive exchange, interaction, and integration among all ethnic groups.
The publicity team carrying out activities in Tianxia Yuyuan Community. Photographer: Li Zhusong
From July 26 to 31, the team conducted promotional lectures at the Children’s Home in Zhilan Community. Through engaging stories and interactive activities, they highlighted the importance of fostering a strong sense of the Chinese national community. Primary school students listened attentively and participated enthusiastically, expressing their understanding and aspiration for the unity of the Chinese nation in their youthful voices. The team also visited the Beilun District Practice Base for Fostering a Strong Sense of the Chinese National Community, experienced the warm “home-style” and “living-room-based” service model in Zhilan Community’s “Neighbors’ Living Room,” and observed the innovative, diversified governance approaches and future community development initiatives under party leadership in Hefeng Community.
The publicity team delivering a speech at Zhilan Community.Photographer: Li Zhusong
It is reported that since its establishment, the "Tongxin Shiliuzi" Team, dedicated to fostering a strong sense of the Chinese national community, has continued to expand its footprint, building a comprehensive network for promoting ethnic unity that extends from border regions to inland areas and from western to coastal China. By integrating the study of the textbook "General Introduction to the Chinese Nation" with hands-on research and practical engagement, the team uses vivid community cases to illustrate the profound significance of "exchange, interaction, and integration among all ethnic groups," revitalizing theoretical concepts through grassroots practice.
