Inner Mongolia, the first provincial-level ethnic autonomous region established in China, marks its 70th birthday this year. Over the past 70 years, the local people have made remarkable achievements in social and economic work, writing a brilliant chapter in the history of China’s regional ethnic autonomy.

Inner Mongolia’s golden path to success proved the importance and vitality of the regional ethnic autonomy system, foreigners said during an interview with Xinhua. It also provides a useful example for countries grappling with ethnic issues, they added.

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“I wish I could revisit Hohhot as soon as possible!”

-- Bilig from Mongolia

Bilig got a chance to study at Inner Mongolia Normal University for several months, along with more than 20 others in 2008, thanks to a student exchange program between the National University of Mongolia and Inner Mongolia Normal University. She is now working at a Chinese-funded enterprise in Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia.

During the interview, the first line out of her mouth was that she was looking forward to revisiting Mongolia.

“As the old saying goes, it is better to see it with one’s own eyes once than to hear from others one hundred times,” said Bilig, recalling the first time she visited Inner Mongolia in 2008. “The autonomous region’s capital Hohhot impressed me beyond imagination with its beauty, easy-going way of life and remarkable development.”

This good first impression contributed to the idea of completing a master’s degree in Inner Mongolia. To achieve this ambition, she has spared no efforts, studying Chinese since 2008. Her dream came true in 2010 after she was admitted to Inner Mongolia Normal University to study Teaching Chinese As A Foreign Language.

“I was stunned by the gorgeous development of Hohhot, although I undoubtedly love Ulaanbaatar, the capital of my home country,” said Bilig. She added there are many things in Hohhot for her fellow country people to learn from.