International youth cultural exchange camp launched in Jining

The 2023 China International Youth Cultural Exchange Camp opened in Jining, Shandong province, on July 7, a platform for Chinese and foreign youths to carry out international cultural exchanges.

The event featured a series of performances by Chinese and Maltese students, including dances and vocal songs.

More than 100 people attended the event, including teachers and students of St. Margaret College Secondary School in Malta, international students from Peking University, the local students from Jining College and representatives of Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

Wan Ting, deputy director of Network Center of International Cultural Exchange, Dong Bing, deputy mayor of Jining City, Martin Azzopardi, founder of the "Science China Corner" at St. Margaret College Secondary School in Malta, addressed the event.

In her speech, Dong introduced the measures and achievements of Jining City in actively promoting traditional culture. She said the city will provide better conditions and establish more platforms for youth cultural exchanges.

Wan said both Chinese and international students can experience the profoundness of Confucianism and the charm of Chinese culture during the event.

“Hope they could become promoters of mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations and practitioners of friendly exchanges between peoples.”

Azzopardi introduced his experience in promoting Chinese culture through the " Science China Corner " over the years and encouraging more Maltese youngsters to learn Chinese culture. He expected the event could help the students to feel the charm of China in person.

The student representative of the camp from St. Margaret College Secondary School, Kaya Vella said she was deeply attracted by Chinese culture, and was also moved by the warmth and enthusiasm of the Chinese people. She thanked the exchange camp that bridges Chinese and Maltese young people.

John Busuttil, Maltese ambassador to China, sent a video of his speech for the launch ceremony. He said people-to-people exchanges are the best way to deepen mutual understanding and will lay a solid foundation for world peace.

“Teachers and students in Malta will experience a China beyond their imagination through the exchange camp activities, and I encourage you to visit this charming country again with your family and friends.”

At the launch ceremony, the NICE Cultural and Tourism Advanced Study and Training Center (Jining) was officially unveiled. The base is jointly built by Network Center of International Cultural Exchange and the Jining Municipal People's Government. It aims to promote Jining's local culture and tourism resources, further giving a boost to international cultural exchanges with better tourism products and regular visits to China.

The launch ceremony was held at the Nishan Lecture Hall at the Nishan Holy Land in Nishan, the birthplace of Confucius and a holy place of worship for Confucian scholars of all ages.

The event was sponsored by the China International Culture Association, co-organized by the Network Center of International Cultural Exchange, the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Jining Municipal People's Government.