To strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Guangzhou Huashang College and Indonesia—the first proposed country in the Belt and Road Initiative—the International School invited 42 students and 4 team leaders from SMA BUDI MULIA BOGOR, Indonesia, to participate in a 10-day cultural exchange program titled "Exploring Lingnan Culture and Experiencing New Quality Productive Forces" from November 5 to November 14, 2024.
The opening and closing ceremonies were attended by Chen Yuhuan, Party Secretary of Guangzhou Huashang College, and Liu Shaobo, Vice President of the college, who delivered speeches. Other distinguished guests included Chen Xiaodi, Executive Vice President of the Zengcheng Overseas Friendship Association; Zhong Shixin, Vice President of Guangdong Huashang Technical School; Wang Wenzhong, Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Office (Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Affairs Office); Hui Yanyan, Dean of the International School; Zhang Zhen, Vice Dean of the International School; Lin Hongmei, Dean of the Hotel Management School at Guangzhou Huashang Vocational College; faculty members, volunteers, and the Indonesian delegation.
Chen Yuhuan, Party Secretary of Guangzhou Huashang College, emphasized the significance of strengthening cooperation between China and Indonesia under the Belt and Road Initiative. She highlighted that the cultural activities, centered on "Exploring Lingnan Culture and Experiencing New Quality Productive Forces" , blend historical significance with contemporary relevance, catering to the interests of young participants. She praised the collaboration between Guangzhou Huashang Vocational College and Guangdong Huashang Technical School, showcasing the Huashang Education Group’s resource integration capabilities. Finally, she encouraged the Indonesian students to share their experiences and consider studying in China, becoming future ambassadors of Sino-Indonesian friendship.
Liu Shaobo, Vice President of Guangzhou Huashang College, noted that today’s youth will become the builders of the Belt and Road Initiative and promoters of Sino-Indonesian friendship. He hoped the participants would gain a deeper understanding of China’s development and forge lasting friendships.
The Indonesian team leaders, Guo Ruiping and Bai Mianli, expressed their honor in leading the delegation. As descendants of Chinese immigrants, they felt a sense of homecoming and were deeply moved by the warm hospitality, China’s rapid development, the charm of traditional Chinese culture, and the beautiful campus of Huashang. Many students expressed their desire to continue their studies at Huashang.
This 10-day cultural experience activity included modules such as promoting new quality productivity to advance the development of the manufacturing industry, popularizing science to cultivate scientific literacy among young people, experiencing Lingnan characteristic culture, making traditional Chinese handicrafts, learning ethnic characteristic dances, studying unique Lingnan talents, learning Chinese history and Chinese language, and more. Participants went on visits to Tangchen Beijian Transparent Factory, Nanyue King Museum, Pearl River Night Cruise, Guangdong Science Center, among others, and studied practical Chinese, Chinese history, Chinese paper-cutting, Chinese knots, lion dance, Yingge dance, and other culture courses and talents. After the closing ceremony on November 13, 2024, all Indonesian students gave a performance report and also performed Indonesian traditional dances and musical instruments with Chinese business university students through cultural appreciation, and watched Chinese
Hanfu shows and other programs.
This cultural activity enhanced the friendship and connection between Chinese and Indonesian youth. During the 10 days, they built deep feelings, and on the day of departure, Indonesian youths wrote in their imperfect Chinese their gratitude and love for China, for the Chinese business university, for teachers and volunteers. Many students hugged, cried, and
reluctantly parted with volunteers and teachers from the Chinese business university.
Participating in this Chinese business–Indonesia cultural activity were 51 university students from the InternationalSchool, AccountingSchool, Foreign LanguagesSchool, Health Medical College, Digital Business and TradeSchool, ManagementSchool, LiteratureSchool, Communication and MediaSchool, and GuangdongHuashangTechnical School. They stated that this activity allowed them to deeply understand Indonesian culture, feel the unique enthusiasm and temperament of the tropical island people, and further enhance cultural inclusiveness and empathy. To seize the opportunity to participate in this cultural event, they constantly monitored the official WeChat account of the International College, and the 32 spots for this event were all taken within 32 seconds.
