From 19 to 22 October, at the invitation of Gwangju China Friendship Center, Sun Jingyi and Zheng Lingling, students from the School of Foreign Languages and Literature and members of the English Student Correspondent Group of Wuhan University and Peng Shang, Officer of WHU Office of International Affairs visited Gwangju, South Korea to participate in cultural exchange activities. Invited along were student correspondents from nine other Chinese top universities, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, etc.
On 20 October, Sun and Zheng, together with other invited Chinese students, visited Honam University, a young university located in Gwangju, the sixth largest city in South Korea. During this visit, Chinese students admired the beautiful autumn scenery and visited IT Square, the studio of Honam University. In the morning, a China Culture Show took place, where Koreans watched the traditional Chinese Sichuan Face Changing Opera and enjoyed various Chinese foods and drinks.
China Culture Show in Honam University
An officer of the International Office of Honam University gave a brief introduction on Chinese overseas students in this university, outlining the fruitful results that student correspondents of Honam University have achieved, and encouraging students from both countries to share their ideas and learn from each other. During this visit, Chinese students and Korean students engaged in pleasant conversations and exchanged gifts. All participating students, faculties and the Mayor of Gwangju, Lee Yong-seop took photos together. Mayor Lee expressed his appreciation of the little gifts from WHU, and looked forward to a closer relationship with WHU in various fields.
Peng Shang, Officer of WHU Office of International Affairs presenting WHU souvenirs to Lee Yong-seop, the Mayor of Gwangju
Chinese student correspondents and teachers taking photos with Korean students and the Mayor
The same afternoon, all invited Chinese students went to the Asia Culture Center to attend the opening ceremony of China Culture Week in Gwangju. After impressive Chinese-style singing and dancing performances by Koreans, Lee Yong-seop and Sun Xianyu, Consul General of Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Gwangju, each made a speech. Both recalled the history and development of China Culture Week in Gwangju, emphasizing that China and Gwangju should further strengthen their cultural exchanges and economic cooperation. China and South Korea on the whole should also develop their good neighborliness and realize win-win cooperation.
Opening ceremony of China Culture Week in Gwangju
Opening ceremony of China Culture Week in Gwangju
Traditional Korean food
They were also introduced to the life of past Confucian scholars in the Wolbongseowon Confucian Academy, including admiring the Gayageum (a traditional Korean string instrument), Danso (a Korean bamboo flute used in Korean folk music) and Korean story-telling performances, sewing books and projecting arrows.
Wolbongseowon Confucian Academy
Chinese students project arrows in Wolbongseowon Confucian Academy
The four-day visit only gave a glimpse of Korean culture and life, but the friendly attitude of Gwangju people impressed Chinese students a great deal. China and South Korea enjoy long histories and rich cultures and have been closely linked for a long time. Since China established a friendly relationship with Gwangju in 1992, the overall trend of good neighborliness and cooperation remains unchanged. Both Korean people and Chinese people expect a brighter future for China-South Korea relations. As student correspondents, we are an important propelling force in advancing our relationship. Memories last, friendship is forever.
(Edited by Sun Jingyi, Shi Weiya&Hu Sijia)
