The opening ceremony of the 13th International Cultural Festival of Jiangsu University was held at the library square on May 7th with its theme "Join Hands Towards a Shared Future". Over 1,000 international students hailing from 85 different countries along with more than 3,000 Chinese teachers, students, and citizens attended the event.

The opening ceremony started with the dance performed by more than 90 international and Chinese students. A host of distinguished guests and enterprise representatives were present this event. Among them were Prof. Yan Xiaohong, President of Jiangsu University, Prof. Li Hongbo, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Jiangsu University Committee, Prof. Zhao Yutao, Vice President of Jiangsu University, Prof. Yang Daojian, Director of Publicity Department of Jiangsu University, Mr. Xing Bo, Deputy Director of Zhenjiang Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, Mr. Xu Decheng, Deputy Director of Zhenjiang Foreign Affairs Office of Zhenjiang Municipal People’s Government, Mr. Tao Yong, Team Leader of entry and exit Administration Division at the Zhenjiang Municipal Public Security Bureau, Mr. Luo Haibo, Deputy Director of the Zhenjiang Municipal Public Security Bureau Jingkou Branch, Mr. Pan Zhigang, the Chairman of Jiangsu Lianfa Textile Co., Ltd., Mr. Yu Ruitai, the chairman of Danyang Tianlu Glasses E-commerce Co., Ltd., Mr. Tobias Wabraun, the manager of Logistics Management Department at Magna Blue New Energy Vehicle Technology (Zhenjiang) Co., Ltd. and other Chinese and foreign guests, as well as leaders from the offices and schools of Jiangsu university.

At the opening ceremony, Prof. Yan Xiaohong stated in his speech that the International Cultural Festival has become a wonderful representation of campus culture. Over the past 12 years, the university has effectively integrated its internationalization strategy into the overall development, leading to significant achievements in cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, the cultivation of international talents, and educational efforts related to The Belt and Road Initiative. JSU has consistently held the top position in Jiangsu province for overseas students education. He hoped Chinese and foreign students and teachers would take advantage of the International Cultural Festival to immerse themselves in a multicultural environment, engage in mutual learning among diverse civilizations, build stronger relationships, develop open and inclusive attitudes, and actively contribute to expanding the opening up of education and building a better world together.

In the issuing part, Prof. Zhao Yutao and Mr. Xu Qiren, the General Manager of Nanjing Nanqi Import and Export Co., Ltd., witnessed the Launching Ceremony of Jiangsu University-Donghua Automobile Industrial Co., Ltd. Overseas Freshman Scholarship Firstly. Secondly, Prof. Zhao Yutao and Mr. Wang Xuefeng, the Chief Engineer of Zhenjiang Longshun Group Co., Ltd., stepped onto the podium together and witness the Launching Ceremony of Jiangsu University-Zhenjiang Longshun Group Co., Ltd. Overseas Freshman Scholarship. Lastly, Mr. Lin Gaoyuan, the Executive Director of Economic and Social Development Center of Beijing Jiaotong University Yangtze River Delta Research Institute introduced the Overseas Market Research Competition.

Prof. Li Hongbo announced the official opening of the 13th International Cultural Festival.

There were 30 performances where many teachers and students from China, Pakistan, Russia, Ghana, India, Thailand and other countries performed traditional dance, wonderful song, and characteristic clothing shows. It showed diverse cultures from five continents vividly and gave an audio-visual feast to the audience present.

In addition, international students from nearly 40 countries showcased their local customs and cuisine with well-decorated exhibition sheds. Foreign Affairs Office of Zhenjiang Municipal People’s Government, Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Zhenjiang Public Security Bureau, International Office of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University Language and Culture Center, Jiangsu University Cranfield Tech Futures Graduate Institute and others also participated in the exhibition, promoting joint educational projects, traditional Chinese culture, and anti-fraud measures.

Guests also visited Achievement Exhibition of Jiangsu University’s "The Belt and Road" Education Action from 2014 to 2023.

The International Cultural Festival will continue from May to November, during which a series of special events will be held, including cultural exhibitions from various countries, students' talent competitions, Sino-Foreign PG Academic Forum, innovation and entrepreneurship competitions for international students, job fairs, etc., to enhance the international atmosphere on campus, promote international cooperation in government, industry, academia, and research, and further promote the development process of JSU's international education.

(OEC)