From May 5 to May 12, a group of eight international graduate students specializing in International Trade and Development Economics embarked on an intensive field study in Zhenjiang's historic Jingkou district. Under the supervision of Professor Zhang Wei, the students engaged directly with over twenty local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including family-run shops, craft workshops, and small manufacturing units.

The objective of this applied research project was to assess the operational challenges, market opportunities, and digital adaptation strategies of local businesses in a traditionally rich but economically evolving area. Students conducted interviews, distributed surveys, and analyzed financial data (where available) to understand issues such as access to credit, e-commerce adoption, and succession planning. They worked in pairs to compile case studies and develop tailored recommendations for sustainable growth, which were later presented to a panel of faculty and representatives from the Zhenjiang Chamber of Commerce.

This initiative exemplifies the School's "Global Classrooms, Local Impact" pedagogy, which connects international academic perspectives with grassroots economic realities in China. The students not only honed their research and analytical skills but also gained an invaluable, nuanced understanding of the resilience and innovation within China's local economies, moving beyond textbook theories to witness practical economic life.