On May 7, Xu Tao, Chairperson of the University Council of SUFE, led nearly 40 Chinese and foreign students to visit the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) and gave a lecture on the theme of Seeing the Great Changes in the Ten Years of the Belt and Road, and Talking about the Responsibility of Shanghai Youth."
As the venue of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), NECC is committed to building a high-level platform for opening to the world. Xu Tao and the delegation first came to the Import Expo Culture Exhibition Center. The exhibition center consists of seven units, including the prelude hall, five thematic chapters and the end hall, which focuses on the theme of New Era, Shared Future of CIIE, and comprehensively introduces the functional position, preparation process, highlights and features as well as the significance and far-reaching impact of CIIE.
Lanyi Wei (China), an undergraduate student majoring in Data Science in the class of 2022, said, Through the visit, I am even more convinced that China is taking concrete actions to build an interconnected and common development world. In this process, international friendly exchanges are even more important, which will arouse people's eager expectation for common development and common prosperity. This experience made me deeply believe that China's path of opening up is both the right choice and the fountain of hope that stirs up the world.
Weibo Song (Uzbekistan), an undergraduate student majoring in International Economics and Trade in the class of 2023, who came to Shanghai to study last September, said, I used to know about CIIE in my own country, but today's site visit allowed me to perceive the unique charms of CIIE, inclusiveness and determination of China's openness to the world, and I hope to contribute my part to the friendly exchanges between Uzbekistan and China.
Afterward, under the guidance of the on-site staff, Xu Tao and the delegation went to the National Convention Center (Shanghai), which is the venue for the opening ceremony of CIIE and other major events. The welcoming hall, the heads of state and government lounge and the conference hall are all full of Chinese culture. Chen Xue from Kyrgyzstan said, I am very glad to have such an opportunity for practical experience. The National Convention Center has a lot of precious paintings, I understood the meaning behind each painting in detail, and deeply felt the charm of Chinese culture."
After the practical visit, Xu Tao gave a vivid lecture to the Chinese and foreign students. Starting from the concept of the Belt and Road Initiative, systematically sorted out the achievements of the Belt and Road Initiative in the fields of economy, investment, energy, diplomacy, and education over the past 10 years, and then talked about the responsibility and commitment of SUFE Youth in the context of the Belt and Road initiative from four dimensions: abundant academic research, diverse educational training programs, comprehensive international organizations talents and overseas volunteer service work. Xu Tao said that opening up education to the world is an important link to enhance cultural exchanges and political mutual trust between China and foreign countries. More and more foreign students are willing to come to understand and learn Chinese culture and continue their studies in Chinese universities. He encouraged Chinese and foreign students to go out of the campus, enter the forefront of reform and open up to broaden their horizons, feel the real Shanghai and the real China, aspire to become outstanding financial and economic talents with strong ideals and beliefs, global vision, creativity, decision-making ability, organizational ability and toughness, and enhance cross-cultural communication skills, and go to the international stage to tell China's story well.
It is worth mentioning that, throughout the activity, Chinese and foreign students had in-depth exchanges on topics such as cultural background, education and international exchanges, and the Belt and Road initiative. Anna from Ukraine, a current pre-college international student, said, During the activity, I not only visited many interesting places, I also met great Chinese students to practice my Chinese, we exchanged our respective cultures and lives, which gave me a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and Chinese people. Shiqi Zhu (China), an undergraduate student majoring in Finance in the Class of 2021, said, As a part of the course ‘Education Macro Policy', I am very glad to have the opportunity to visit the National Exhibition and Convention Center with the international students. Through communicating with international students, I realized the importance of education policy in promoting multicultural understanding and respect. I learned about the differences in the living cultures of different countries, and we discussed the differences in career development at home and abroad, as well as our feelings about the practice visit. This activity not only enriched my course study but also provided me with valuable cross-cultural communication experience and gave me a more comprehensive and deeper understanding of international education macro policy."
Director of the Library Wangjiang Ying, Chairperson of the Council of International Cultural Exchange School Hong Yang, Dean Jing Dong, and Deputy Director of the Office of President Ji Ma attended.
(From International Cultural Exchange School)
