“This is my first time making a lacquer‑painted fan. I will take it back for my family and tell them it is a gift from China!” Geman, a high‑school student from Sochi, Russia, held up his lacquer‑painted fan and showed it to everyone with delight. On the morning of July 8, the Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture Fair, co‑hosted by the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange andSCMUYouth League Committee, took place alongSCMU’s Excellence Corridor. More than 70 short‑term exchange participants from the United States, Russia and the Republic of Korea attended the event. Centered on hands‑on experience of traditional Chinese culture, the activity guided young people from various countries to perceive the warmth and profundity of Chinese culture through practical engagement.

The short‑term study‑tour programs for youth from the United States, Russia and the Republic of Korea feature distinct priorities and highlights. The Russian and Republic of Korea delegations focused on fine traditional Chinese culture for an immersive experience of Chinese history and humanistic heritage. The US delegation concentrated on ethnic pharmacy under the thematic study‑tour “Journey to Explore China’s Ethnic Pharmacy”.

The event opened with melodious, ethereal morin khuur music. The uniquely shaped morin khuur carries strong ethnic characteristics. As the performer drew the bow across the strings, lively grassland melodies filled the entire Excellence Corridor, vividly showcasing the distinctive appeal of traditional folk music and introducing Chinese and foreign participants to the singular allure of Chinese ethnic musical art.

Subsequently, Fang Debin, Member of the Standing Committee of theSCMUParty Committee and Vice‑President, delivered a welcome address to the visiting young guests. He expressed his hope that participants would gain a genuine, multi‑faceted and comprehensive understanding of China, build bridges of friendship between Chinese and foreign youth, and act as friendship ambassadors across national borders.

Fang Debin delivers the welcome address. Photobythe Office of International Cooperation and Exchange

Neatly‑arranged booths lined the corridor, offering a full range of experiential activities including DIY Dragon‑Boat‑Festival sachets, lacquer‑fan painting, traditional paper‑cutting, Chinese‑knot weaving, shadow‑puppet crafting and calligraphy creation. Chinese and foreign students moved in groups from booth to booth. They cut paper‑cuts, wove auspicious Chinese knots and wrote blessings stroke‑by‑stroke under guidance, gaining first‑hand insight into the vibrant charm of Chinese folk customs. “Writing with a brush feels truly special. I have learned about Chinese culture before, but the hands‑on experience is entirely different,” said Shao Rifeng, a British Chinese‑language visiting student from the School of International Education after his experience.

Learning brush calligraphy. Photobythe Office of International Cooperation and Exchange

Interaction session. Photobythe Office of International Cooperation and Exchange

Hands‑on experience. Photobythe Office of International Cooperation and Exchange

Enthusiasm ran high on site. Many participants took the initiative to consult Zhang Zhuo, the morin khuur performer, feeling the magic of the ethnic instrument amid resonant string vibrations. Others were drawn to intelligent robot dogs. Under on‑site guidance from students of the School of Computer Science, they operated the robot dogs themselves to enjoy technological experiences. Traditional Chinese aesthetics and modern technology converged at the venue, delivering great fun.

Editor‑in‑charge: LiuHongReviewed by: Lei Changsheng Uploaded by: Liu Hong Release Date: July 10, 2026