“Chinese Bridge” Cultural Experience & Exchange Program Starts in Chongqing

On January 17, the "Chinese Bridge" Cultural Experience & Exchange Program kicked off at Chongqing Bashu Secondary School. International students will attend Humanities, Languages, Cultures Winter Camp online during the next week. Teachers from Bashu Secondary School will teach Chinese culture and help students understand the charming Chongqing culture.

"Chinese Bridge" is a large-scale program for international Chinese language education sponsored by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation. Since its launching in 2002, "Chinese Bridge" has been serving as a vital platform for Chinese language learning, understanding of China, and Chinese culture experiencing and a bridge connecting Chinese and foreign young people. 

The Program, based on the existing online course platform of Bashu Secondary School, has attracted 60 secondary and college students from Thailand, Russia, Indonesia, and other countries.

Aside from Chinese language courses, the Program also opens courses on tea culture, Tai Chi, calligraphy, and illustration painting and holds lectures on Bayu culture. Chinese students and international students in Chongqing will be invited to share their studies and life in this city. As a result, they can help promote Chinese culture, assist attendees of the Program in understanding China's developments, build friendships with the attendees, and draw more international students to study in the country.

"Chongqing is attracting foreign students to study in China, more than just sending Chinese students to study abroad. It has turned into a cultural trailblazer from an inheritor. Becoming the program host proves that Chongqing has made remarkable achievements in international cooperation and educational reform," said Li Bin, Director of International Cooperation and Exchange Division, Chongqing Municipal Education Commission.

According to Liu Guoqiang, Dean of School of International Communication, Sichuan International Studies University, the Program has deepened communication, intensified mutual learning, and boosted the promotion of Chinese culture. He hoped that the great event could be held continuously.

Wu Dechuan, Deputy General Manager of Chongqing International Communication Center, noted that Chinese culture incorporated historical and modern elements and belonged not only to China but also the world. He called for greater cultural confidence, asking people to bring cultures that embody Chinese values and reflect the shared values of all humankind to the world through the "Chinese Bridge."

"The 'Chinese Bridge' spreads Chinese values and thoroughly taps into the core ideas embedded in excellent traditional Chinese culture. Its diverse events provide opportunities to tell stories about China. As a promoter of Chinese culture, the 'Chinese Bridge' has developed influential cultural products with high-quality content via presentation methods easily understood by the public and suitable for social media platforms. Its efforts are laudable," exclaimed Hu Wei, Deputy Director of Bashu International Education Center.

At the end of the first day of the winter camp, students shared how they felt. After enjoying the opening ceremony, Hellen from Altai State University in Russia said with excitement, "I love the Chinese classical dance and instrument performances! But my favorite is the chorus, which is said to be the theme song of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. It is so beautiful, and I will learn to sing it." Jac, a Chinese language teacher from KCE International School Cambodia, praised the adequate preparation by the Bashu Secondary School, the brilliant opening ceremony, and interesting courses and said it would be a fun and valuable learning experience for students.