The launch ceremony of the "My Beautiful Encounter with China" series of activities for international students in China was held in Beijing on April 12, highlighting the profound experiences and connections forged by students from around the globe.
Fu Zhi Ying, a Malaysian student at Zhejiang University, said of the essence of studying in China, "As a university student, besides striving upwards, it is equally important to put down roots, to not only sharpen oneself but also to benefit others with what one learns, and to deeply love the land and its people where one resides."
The event, attended by about 180 individuals, including award-winning students, university representatives, embassy officials, and cooperative institution representatives, underscored the collaborative efforts in promoting international education and exchange.
Wang Daquan, director-general of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE), outlined initiatives to enhance the "Study in China" service, including the innovative "Study Tour in China" project, alumni engagement and talent employment activities.
Xi Ru, deputy director-general of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the Ministry of Education (MOE), reiterated MOE's commitment to enhancing education quality and fostering a helpful environment for international students in China.
Pasupha Chinvarasopak, minister-counsellor of the Thai Embassy in China, inspired attendees with a call to embrace global citizenship and collective responsibility in shaping a better world.
The ceremony included recognition of winners from the 2023 "My Beautiful Encounter with China" composition and short video competition, and released the Collection of Excellent Works from the 2023 International Student Composition Competition in China, showcasing the diverse talents and perspectives of international students studying in China.
The 2023 competition attracted more than 800 international students studying in China to participate through written and video formats, selecting nearly a hundred examples of excellent work in articles and short videos.
In 2023, the organizing committee organized outstanding winners from previous activities to carry out social practice activities in Guizhou province. Ipatenkova Yulia, the first-prize winner of the third composition competition and a Russian student from Northeast Normal University, shared with the audience her unforgettable experience: "Growth needs time to witness, and more importantly, it requires practice to understand. Through this activity, we can not only gain rich knowledge but also see a more authentic China."
The organizing committee has also unveiled plans to continue the legacy of "My Beautiful Encounter with China", with upcoming activities set to explore the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area in Qingdao, Shandong province.
The event culminated in the launch of the 2024 "My Beautiful Encounter with China" series of activities, reinforcing its role as a platform for international students to share their experiences and build lasting friendships.
From its humble beginnings to a prominent platform for international exchange, "My Beautiful Encounter with China" has evolved over seven years, empowering students to share their experiences. These students are becoming narrators of Chinese stories, spreaders of Chinese voices, and builders of friendship between China and other countries.
