On March 23rd, the "Understanding China through Knowledge and Practice – Exchange Activity for Italian University Students in China (Chengdu Stop)", jointly hosted by the China Education Association for International Exchange and Chengdu University of Information Technology, was officially launched. 48 Italian teachers and students from universities such as the University of Rome, together with more than 300 leaders from the Education Department and Foreign Affairs Office of Sichuan Province, as well as representatives of teachers and students from our university, gathered in the International Conference Hall to witness this grand event of educational exchange against the backdrop of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy.
Meng Weilan, a PhD student in Sinology at the University of Rome, as a representative of the Italian side, delivered a speech in fluent Chinese, expounding the concept of cultural dialogue that "differences breed resonance". Wang Tianqi, a student from our university, expressed his expectation of building cross-border friendships through the path of "exploration – mutual learning – growth". A special intangible cultural heritage performance segment was set up during the opening ceremony. The Sichuan opera face-changing and Italian opera were staged on the same stage, demonstrating the harmonious integration of civilizations where "each enjoys its own beauty, and all beauties combine in harmony".
As an important symbol of the resumption of educational exchanges between China and Italy in the post-pandemic era, this event not only provides a "zero-distance" international dialogue platform for the students of our university, but also conveys a credible, lovely and respectable image of China to the world from the perspective of young people.
