Students get a history lesson

At Yangjialing village, the teenagers listened to the narration of Norman Bethune, a member of the Communist Party of Canada and a well-known thoracic surgeon. Bethune died in China in November 1939 after he was infected during surgery on a patient.

"Bethune's story shows his dedication to medical work and his humanitarian spirit is really amazing. I also want to be a doctor who helps people with knowledge and practice in science and medicine," says Braithwaite.

"I didn't realize before the Yan'an visit that foreigners from different backgrounds were in China and the support from the international community also helped make China what it is today," says the Swede, who moved to Shanghai with her parents and two siblings because of her father's career.

Liu Suping, director of the Europe and Asia division of the Shaanxi Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, says: "We sincerely hope that more youths can follow the example of those international friends and deepen the friendship between China and the international community in the new era."