A soccer invitational tournament kicked off in Qiantang district, Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, on Nov 17.

Organized by the district's publicity department and the bureau of civil affairs, culture, tourism, and sports, the "Hi, Qiantang" Chase Your Dreams Football Invitational attracted four teams of over 80 players, with one team proving to be particularly eye-catching.

The team, named "International Stars", features the team leader of Uzbekistan's U23 soccer team as its coach, as well as a member of the Tajikistan national U20 soccer team. All of its 21 members, hailing from six countries across three continents, are international students currently studying in Qiantang district.

Home to some 14 colleges and universities, Qiantang boasts thousands of international students from over 100 countries.

After intense competition, the International Stars triumphed, lifting their trophy to cheers of excitement.

Players of the team "International Stars" celebrate after winning the trophy of the "Hi, Qiantang" Chase Your Dreams Football Invitational in Qiantang district, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Nov 17, 2024. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I believe this is a highly effective way of international communication," Shakhzod Mirzaev, the team coach from Uzbekistan, who is pursuing his master's degree at Hangzhou Dianzi University, said of the tournament. "I look forward to enjoying more opportunities like this in the future," he added.

Mirzaev also serves as Qiantang's first "International Communication Ambassador". To leverage the networks of international students like Mirzaev for broader international outreach, Qiantang held its inaugural "Hi, Qiantang" International Communication Exchange Conference in early July to offer them a platform to learn more about Chinese culture and Zhejiang's development and enhance their ability to share authentic Chinese stories globally.

"What we witnessed today was more than just a soccer tournament. It is also a bridge connecting Qiantang district with the world," a district official said. "The Invitational will become an important platform for opening up to the world and carrying out international cultural exchanges, conveying Qiantang's enthusiasm and vitality to the globe."