Students also visited The Economist. China Editor James Miles, formerly based in Beijing and with 12 years reporting experience, told students that with its rapid development, China has become an important voice that cannot be ignored on international issues regarding politics and economics. As a result, in 2012 The Economist added a new division to its Asia section, creating focused reporting for China, becoming only the second (after the United States) independent section for one country. Miles also added that The Economist’s China section has branches in Beijing and Shanghai, mainly focusing on the political issues of mainland China and also covering Hong Kong and Macau.
A day at several museums started at the University of Oxford Natural History Museum. Its lecture hall hosted the Oxford Evolution Debate in 1860 and is currently used by the university's chemistry, zoology and mathematics departments. While the museum deals with natural history, the Ashmolean of Oxford University chronicles human civilization.
The Ashmolean Museum, based in the heart of Oxford, was the first university museum in the English-speaking world, opening to the public in 1863. The main museum contains collections of archaeological specimens and fine art, including pre-Raphaelite paintings, majolica pottery, and English silver. Following the museum visits, students took a walk through the city of Oxford and took photos of the famous Hertford Bridge, a footbridge designed by Sir Thomas Graham Jackson and completed in 1914.
Punting
One of the most popular sports in Oxford is punt racing. A long, slender, flat-bottomed boat, a punt is operated by poles that push off the river bottom. In 1829, Oxford and Cambridge held their first punt race, and since 1856, races have been held annually except during the two world wars. Most of the punting is done on the River Cherwell, which flows through Oxford's protected green belt of fields and woods for the last few miles before it joins the Thames. However, at the Thames near the Magdalen Bridge, the students hired an experienced rower. Many of the “boatmen” are students at University of Oxford who earn extra money taking visitors down the river and showing them the campus.
The students said it was a great opportunity to participate in the Financial Media Summer School at the UK campus, discuss current issues with scholars, and to visit world-leading media organizations. And the weather is really nice during summer!
