To celebrate the 6th International Chinese Language Day, the Department of Public and International Education of Jinan Vocational College, in collaboration with the Jinan International Communication Center, organized a series of themed events under the Belt and Road Youth Bridge cultural exchange platform. Themed “Paper-Cut Messages,” “Martial Arts Friendship,” and “Culinary Connection,” the activities attracted international students from countries including Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Kyrgyzstan, fostering deep interaction with their Chinese peers. Through a multi-dimensional dialogue of craft, physical expression, and taste, young people from China and abroad used culture as a bridge to jointly write a new chapter in civilizational exchange.

Paper-Cut Messages: Unfolding Eastern Aesthetics on Paper　　

On April 8, the event series began with “Messages on Paper: Words Build Heartfelt Bridges.” International and Chinese students from six Belt and Road countries wielded red paper and silver scissors, crafting motifs like the Chinese zodiac and the 24 solar terms into vibrant expressions of traditional Chinese culture. The paper-cutting session was followed by a bilingual salon titled “Words Build Heartfelt Bridges,” where Chinese students shared stories behind iconic local scenery in Jinan, such as its lotus-filled lakes and weeping willows, while international students recounted their heartwarming experiences in the city. “This wasn’t just a display of traditional skills—it was a heartfelt cross-border dialogue,” said a student from Tajikistan.

　　Martial Arts Friendship: Strength and Grace in Eastern Philosophy

　　On April 10, a martial arts experience session kicked off with the spirit of “starting and ending with courtesy.” PE teacher Liang Hansheng led participants through moves like “low stance sweeping strike” and “bow stance punch,” blending martial techniques with traditional etiquette in both Chinese and English. Students paired up for hands-on practice, with Chinese students offering gestures and demonstrations to help international friends master each move. “Martial arts are not just about fitness—they reflect the Chinese pursuit of harmony and respect,” said Li Guohai, a student from Pakistan.

　　Culinary Connection: A Taste of Culture, A Shared Human Experience

　　On April 17, the “Flavors of the World” food-sharing activity offered a delicious avenue for cultural exchange. Chinese students presented traditional dishes such as dumplings and sweet rice balls, sharing their symbolic meanings of reunion and renewal. Meanwhile, international students brought dishes from home—like hand-grabbed rice and traditional pancakes—along with stories of wedding feasts and harvest celebrations. In the vote for “most popular dish,” Lanzhou noodles and hand-grabbed rice tied as the “Cultural Fusion Star.” Holding a rice ball with chopsticks, Baireya from Kyrgyzstan joked, “This is harder than taking a Chinese test—but every bite tastes like home.”

　　In the Name of Youth, Building a Path of Cultural Convergence

From the flutter of red paper in craft, to the balance of force and grace in martial arts, to the warmth of shared meals, this event series used International Chinese Language Day as an opportunity to build a vibrant platform for cross-cultural dialogue among Belt and Road youth. Looking ahead, more international students and young people living in Jinan are encouraged to become ambassadors of mutual understanding, nurturing the vision of a shared future for humanity through meaningful exchange.