SHANGHAI - More than 200 students from China and Malaysia, including several from the earthquake devastated provinces of Sichuan and Qinghai, were invited to tour Shanghai from Sept 8 to 13.

The tour was part of the Connecting Hope program organized by the China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF) and the Malaysia-based Perfect (China) Co Ltd.

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During the week, the students were invited to visit the Expo Garden to become better informed about different cultures and global technological achievements.

"It helps to broaden students' horizons," said Lusong Dradul, a teacher from Yushu, where an earthquake struck on April 14 in Qinghai province.

The program also provides an opportunity for Malaysian students of Chinese extraction to explore and acquire a deeper understanding of China.

As part of the program, on Thursday the students made joint presentations, in which they promoted their ideas about public services, with the intention of improving the quality of life in the communities where they live.

"The program aims to encourage students to take some social responsibility and provides them with an opportunity to serve the community," said Yang Xiaoyu, deputy secretary-general of CYDF.

China Daily