What can a 200-year-old banyan tree tell us about community life in China? On October 21, the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province and the Hainan International Exchange Service Center organized a visit to Poxiang, a 600-year-old neighborhood in Haikou Longhua District, for foreign talents based in the city to learn about urban governance in China. Participants from different countries explored the community, gaining firsthand insight into grassroots governance and residents' daily lives.

Over the years, Poxiang has evolved from an ancient village into a modern urban community, but the tradition of gathering beneath the banyan tree to discuss neighborhood affairs lives on. Meanwhile, childcare services, reading rooms and other modern facilities make everyday life easier. During their visit, the foreign participants discovered that the old banyan tree not only holds memories shared by generations of residents but also strengthens neighborly ties and a sense of belonging. From traditional community discussions to modern services, Poxiang's transformation offers a vivid example of how grassroots urban governance in China has become part of people's daily lives and helped improve their sense of well-being.