Visit from Wuxi: Chinese school group visits Bocholt

A group of students from the vocational schools for mechatronics, mechanical engineering and automotive engineering from the friendly Chinese city of Wuxi visited Bocholt from 2 to 4 November 2025. During their stay, the 21 young people and their chaperones got to know the city and its educational and work structures and made new contacts.

The city friendship between Bocholt and Wuxi has existed since 1985 and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. For the students, it was their first visit to Bocholt - and at the same time a special opportunity to experience the city and its people in person.

On Monday, the group visited the Bocholt campus of the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences. Prof Dr Thomas Naber guided the guests through the laboratories and departments and explained the main areas of study. The young people were particularly impressed by the robotics department, but they also enjoyed lunch together in the cafeteria. The programme then included a tour of the Bocholt fire station, where the guests were given an insight into the technology, equipment and operational organisation. They visibly enjoyed trying on the firefighters' uniforms.

In addition to the technical programme, there was also time for shared experiences in the city. A city rally to Bocholt's sights, a dinner together and a visit to the Sunday Light Festival enabled the young people to familiarise themselves with Bocholt's cultural life. Members of the German-Chinese Society Bocholt accompanied the group and ensured valuable discussions and encounters.

On Monday evening, the city of Bocholt officially welcomed the guests to the Europa-Haus. First Deputy Mayor Elisabeth Kroesen warmly welcomed the group: "This reception was one of the last in my term of office, which ends next week - and I am very pleased to be able to do it in the spirit of our 40-year friendship with Wuxi." She emphasised how important personal encounters are for the maintenance and further development of the partnership.

The visit was organised in close cooperation between the city of Bocholt, the vocational school in Wuxi and the German-Chinese Society Bocholt. The contact person was the European representative Petra Taubach, together with the president of the society, Stefan Schlier. Both sides emphasised the goal of further intensifying the exchange in the future and making it a tangible experience for young people.

After their stay in Bocholt, the group of students travelled on to Leverkusen, another twin city of Wuxi, on Tuesday.