International students retrace steps, learn of soldiers" connections with people, sacrifices

　　Siu Nay H" Nhung (front, second from right), a Vietnamese student, joins residents to perform a Long March-themed play at Anjia New House Site, a historical landmark of the march in Yingshan county, Hubei province. CHINA DAILY

　　Under the blazing July sun in Tucheng, Guizhou province, 27-year-old Bangladeshi student Md Risat Abdullah stepped into the Chishui River with his teammates to build a makeshift floating bridge from wooden planks, ropes and other materials. They were recreating a daring crossing made by Red Army soldiers more than 90 years ago during the Long March (1934-36).

　　"The planks were unstable on the water. It was hard to keep my balance even after a few steps, let alone to run," Risat said.