STORY: Italian professor sees vibrant China amid largest annual population migration
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 3, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 8, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:36
LOCATION: HEFEI, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE (English): NICOLA D'ASCENZO, Italian professor at the University of Science and Technology of China
2. various of Nicola working at his office
3. various of Nicola taking the high-speed train to Wuhan

STORYLINE:

SOUNDBITE (English): NICOLA D'ASCENZO, Italian professor at the University of Science and Technology of China
"Hi, I am Nicola, and I am super excited that after one year of heavy work here in Hefei, where I am a professor at USTC (University of Science and Technology of China), to travel to Wuhan to visit some students and friends.
I of course train the new generation of students in medical engineering, and my main research activity has two pillars. The first one is the development of a completely new digital chip. The second pillar is the development of a sustainable agriculture imaging program. Of course, I have lots of collaboration all around China, and this is why I travel a lot using the high-speed trains every week.
So I just arrived at the Hefei Nan Railway Station. The station is full, lots of people traveling around. My train was fully booked. However, as I usually do, I use my app, and on the app, it is possible to be on the waiting list, it's automatic. And this is how I got finally a train ticket. And today I can travel to Wuhan, at every weekend.
Traveling here is very comfortable. The train is very stable, so I can smoothly work while traveling. It's also very fast. Today I am traveling from Hefei to Wuhan, 400 kilometers, just approximately 2 hours. This allows me very conveniently to move between the two cities.
So look what I did.
The Spring Festival is approaching. There is full of decoration in the carriage here, and everybody is excited to get home. The atmosphere is very lively and very nice.
I arrived in Wuhan.
Happy New Year!"

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hefei, China.
(XHTV)