An Israeli student draws patterns of blue calico on brown paper in Nantong Blue Calico Museum, August 2, Jiangsu province. [Photo by Xu Congjun/ jschina.com.cn]

Nantong welcomed a group of college students from Israel and China as they began their tour of the city's ancient townships at the Nantong Museum, August 1.

The week-long event attracted 35 students from Tel Aviv University, the University of Haifa, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel and Renmin University of China, Nanjing University and Nantong Open University. They will visit Nantong's ancient towns and streets, including Temple Street in Chongchuan district, Tangzha in Gangzha district and Rucheng in Rugao county-level city. A booklet of 250,000 words will be published after the event to mark the 25 years of Sino-Israeli diplomatic relations.

Nadav Yanai, a team leader from Tel Aviv University, said the event is meaningful in strengthening communication among students and promoting mutual understanding of the two countries. He also mentioned that the tour will help them know China better and enable them to share the beautiful scenery and cultural heritage of Nantong with their friends when back in Israel.

Liu Qidong, Party Secretary of Nantong Open University, said friendship between China and Israel will be further promoted through this event.

Zhang Shushan, a member of the Standing Committee of Nantong Municipal People's Congress and director of the city's publicity department, presents a flag to an Israeli student at a launching ceremony at Nantong Museum in Jiangsu, August 1. [Photo/ chinadaily.com.cn]