A Series of Events for the China-Africa Youth Cultural Exchange Season Held at Xiangtan University

Reported by: Li Jinfang, Shi Xinyi, Wang Shiyao, Yang Qi, Song Yujia

Edited by: Xiang Runyuan

Translated by: Li Tingting, Xiao Liang

Source: News Center

On May 30, the 2025 China-Africa Youth Cultural Exchange Season kicked off atXiangtan University. More than 100 participants, including African international student representatives from Hunan University of Chinese Medicine and other universities, China-Africa cultural scholars, young entrepreneurs and volunteers, gathered on campus. Centering on two major sessions,the Mango Study Tour for African Youth and the China-Africa Youth Salon, they exchanged ideas on China-Africa youth friendship, contributing youthful vitality to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

At 9 a.m., African young participants of the Mango Study Tour arrived atXiangtan University and started their study visit. They visited the solemn Mao Zedong Bronze Statue Square, the landmark Three Arches, and the stone inscriptions recording the university’s history.By taking photos and checking in at scenic spots, the group immersed themselves in the profoundrevolutionarycultureof Xiangtan University.

Then, the study tour group entered the University History Museum. Volunteers gave detailed explanations, with Ma Baiwan, an international student from Uganda, interpreting on-site. From the arduous early years to today’s robust development,Xiangtan University’s journey unfolds like a magnificent scroll, captivating the students, who paused to observe and reflect.

At the Special Exhibition on Mao Zedong Thought, the docent delivered a fluent English presentation on the origins and core content of Mao Zedong Thought. The participants engaged in discussions revolving around themes such as achievements in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and research on Mao Zedong Thought.

Following the study tour, the China-Africa YouthSalonbeganat the lecture hall of the Student Center. Liu Zhongwang, Vice President of Xiangtan University, attended the event.

The opening ceremony was ignited by energetic dances performed by international students. Afterwards, a VCR themedHunan in the Eyes of Chinese Youthinspired African young people to share their stories and insights.

In the Q&A session, international students spoke freely and shared their thoughts on questions such as“What are your prospects for the future?”and“What is your most unforgettable experience in Hunan?”Ma Baiwan, an international student from Uganda, interpreted cultural charm by speaking the Hunan dialect. Ziyu, an international student from Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, shared her wonderful experience of traditional Chinese medical therapy. Li Weiwei from Hunan University of Technology expressed her wish to bring high-quality Chinese goods back to her hometown.

In the dialogue sessionofMy Future and Hunan, teachers and students engaged in discussions on further study abroad, cross-border e-commerce, cultural communication and other topics, pushing the event to a climax. In response to the question raised by Lechen, an international student from Hunan University of Technology, about how to contribute to hometown development with knowledge acquired in China, Guo Jiong,afull-time researcher at the China-Africa Research Institute ofXiangtan University, took the packaging design major of Hunan University of Technology as an example. He suggested applying packaging design concepts and skills to local specialty products in African countries.

“Youthfrom China and Africa are the main force in inheriting China-Africa friendship and promoting future cooperation between the two sides,” Liu Zhongwang remarked. He encouraged Chinese and African students to be spokespersons, inheritors and builders of China-Africa exchanges.

An awarding ceremony was also held on site. African international students were presented with honorary certificates as China-Africa Youth Ambassadors of Friendship and left their imprints of cultural exchange on the theme wall. The event concluded with youthful melodies such asFriendsperformed by African international students.