From October20to24, three Sri Lankan students and one faculty member from Beijing Foreign Studies University were invited to join the “Dialogue with China” programme for Sri Lankan students studying in China, which took place across Shandong Province.
Hosted by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies under the China International Communications Group (CICG) and organized by the Shandong International Communication Center, the activity serves as a practical initiative to advance the Global Civilization Initiative. Its launching ceremony opened at Shandong Radio and Television Station (SDTV) on October 20. Altogether 20 Sri Lankan students from universities nationwide embarked on a study tour covering Jinan, Zibo and Weifang. Through field research, immersive cultural experiences and face-to-face exchanges, the participants gained first-hand insights into Shandong’s exploration of Chinese modernization.
During the programme, our faculty and students attended the China–Sri Lanka Youth Salon, where they exchanged views with young journalists and editors from SDTV, as well as academics from Shandong University and Shandong Normal University. The group also toured SDTV’s converged media platform and the Shandong International Communication Center to learn about the latest developments in integrated media.“Each of us acts as a cultural card,”shared KANDANEARACHCHI YESHIKA JAYANIMA, a Sri Lankan student from our university, in an interview with local media.“We introduce authentic Sri Lanka to our Chinese friends, and bring home what we have witnessed in China. In this way, more young Sri Lankans can get to know a genuine, multi-faceted and comprehensive China.”
The“Dialogue with China”programme marks a tangible effort by our university to foster international students’understanding of China and boost cross-cultural exchange and mutual learning. Moving beyond the role of observers, international students became active contributors. The on-site journey let them feel the dynamism of China’s development, while dialogues deepened their appreciation of Chinese culture.
Going forward, BFSU will continue to develop high-quality exchange platforms and encourage more international students to venture off campus for diverse engagement opportunities. By steadily strengthening their cross-cultural competence, we support them to grow into young ambassadors who facilitate people-to-people exchanges.
