On June 18, Prof. Dong Qiang, Dean of Yenching Academy and Chair of the French Department, Peking University, held the fourth Asian Youth Exchange Program live session to celebrate the participants’ completion of the program.
Prof. Wang Bo, Vice President of Peking University, sent a video congratulating the Chinese and Japanese participants on their success and extending gratitude to those who generously supported the program. Prof. Wang highlighted PKU’s tradition of cross-cultural exchange with Japan and the University’s efforts for the Asian Youth Exchange Program. He called the program participants to study at Peking University and have in-depth communication with the students and teachers there.
Prof. Dong Qiang gave a remark during the fourth live session. Starting with warm greetings to the Chinese and Japanese students, Prof. Dong shared his studying and cross-cultural exchange experiences. He stressed the significance of cross-cultural exchange for civilizations and encouraged the participants to imbibe cross-cultural perspectives and see the beauty in different cultures.
Students from the Affiliated High School of Peking University, Beijing No. 4 High School, Shibuya Makuhari High School, and Tokyo Toshima High School made group presentations on Chinese poetry, poems, manga, and sado — themes they thought to be the distinct elements of their cultures. Similarly, they worked out approaches to improve global knowledge of Chinese and Japanese cultures.
Prof. Dong commented on the four group presentations, shedding light on the topics. Instructors from the four high schools also exchanged ideas on the themes discussed in the presentations. They agreed that the program participants had gained a better understanding and forged a deep passion for their cultures, and acquired better knowledge of each other. The teachers hoped that the students would make concerted efforts for the future of humanity.
In his closing remark, Prof. Dong hoped that the participants contribute to peace between China and Japan via cultural exchanges, as the program has aimed. He also hoped for peaceful and good-neighborly relations between China and Japan.
A short ceremony ran with creative ideas to celebrate the participants’ completion of their program courses. The sponsor made a video to present certificates and extend gratitude to all parties involved.
Source: Office of International Relations of Peking University
