Twenty students from Tsinghua University embarked on a twelve-day cultural immersion journey to Malaysia during the past winter break. This initiative, part of Tsinghua’s “Hongyan Program,” partnered with the “Global South Cultural Immersion Series”, aiming to deepen students’ understanding of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the concept of a shared future for mankind. International Students and Mobility Centre of Universiti Malaya hosted the program.
Team members participated in courses and shared their experiences
At the Universiti Malaya, the participants engaged in a series of activities focused on topics including Malaysia’s culture, food and artistic heritage, China-Malaysia relations, and bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Through a combination of lectures, group discussions, and academic presentations, participants gained a deeper understanding of Malaysia’s cultural traditions and the multifaceted collaboration between China and Malaysia in political, economic, and cultural acceptives. Additionally, students conducted in-depth interviews and specialized research on China-Malaysia higher education cooperation, which underscored the profound significance of the principle ‘friendship between nations is rooted in the affinity of their people, and such affinity begins with the younger generation.’
Team members visited Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Malaysia
The participants also explored Malacca, a historic hub of East-West exchange, where they delved into the shared history of China-Malaysia relations, exemplified by Zheng He’s voyages and the region’s multicultural heritage. Coinciding with the Lantern Festival, the team organized cultural activities including paper-cutting, calligraphy, and tangyuan-making at Universiti Malaya, thereby fostering cross-cultural connections. As Mr. Xu Zhuangzhuang, an undergraduate student from the Department of Energy and Power Engineering, said: “When we made tangyuan together, made paper-cuts, and wrote Spring Festival couplets, the bond of friendship had quietly formed in our hearts.”
Team members visited the Zheng He Cultural Center
This collaboration between Tsinghua University and Universiti Malaya, facilitated by the Asian Universities Alliance, demonstrates the commitment of both institutions to fostering global understanding and promoting exchanges among young people. By providing opportunities for students to engage with different cultures and explore global issues, these universities are equipping the next generation with the skills and perspectives necessary to contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous world.
The team held a cultural experience event at the Universiti Malaya
