Shandong, the birthplace of Confucius, hosted the 2024 Confucius Culture Week for Chinese and Foreign Students at the end of last month. As September 28 is celebrated as the birthday of the ancient philosopher, it was particularly appropriate that Shandong hosted this year's events.
More than 170 young people from China and abroad travelled to attend the three-day event, with a view to exchanging ideas, deepening cultural understanding and strengthening cross-cultural friendships. Ten students from the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), 5 from China and 5 from abroad, were among those participating.
Through activities like intangible cultural heritage workshops and food tasting, students gained a deeper understanding of China's rich cultural traditions, which intertwine with modern advances in science and technology. Through visits to universities and enterprises, participants explored the country's achievements in cutting-edge fields like virtual simulation, VR and drone technology.
Students traveled to Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, to visit the local temple, where Professor Song Lilin, vice-director of the Confucius Institute of Culture at Qufu Normal University, delivered a lecture highlighting key aspects of Confucian thought, such as “unity of heaven and humanity” (天人合一) and “having both integrity and talent” (德才兼备) . The lecture helped deepen international students' understanding of Confucianism's central role in Chinese culture and its modern relevance.
The event also provided a platform for Chinese and international youth to exchange experiences. Sondos Magdy Mohamed, an Egyptian student from UIBE, expressed gratitude for the support she has received from the Chinese government and the university, which has enabled her to enrich her knowledge and broaden her horizons.
Cambodian student Phorn Sophy described the three-day event as rewarding and unforgettable, saying that it acted as a starting point to bridge connections between China and other nations, contributing to a community with a shared future and fostering global peace and prosperity.
2024 is the 70th year in which international students have studied at UIBE, and their attendance at the Confucius Week allowed them to experience a comprehensive and multifaceted China firsthand. This initiative is crucial for nurturing international talent who appreciate and develop a lasting affinity for China, contributing to the cultivation of global ambassadors for friendship and cooperation.
