On the afternoon of October 21, College of International Education successfully held a Chinese salon themed “LABUBU and ACG Culture”. As part of the brand-building initiative “Study at SBS——Silk Road Business Charm” for international students, this event adopted an innovative dual-track format combining “pop culture + immersive interaction”. It attracted active participation of students from over ten countries, who improved their Chinese language skills in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, gained a deeper understanding of contemporary Chinese youth culture, and further contributed to the global dissemination of outstanding Chinese culture.
LABUBU is a trendy IP character created by renowned Chinese designer Long Jiasheng. With its soft and endearing design of rounded ears, gradient blush, and fluffy fur, it has quickly gained popularity among young people worldwide, becoming an important bridge connecting original Chinese design with global ACG (anime, comic, and games) culture. As a key component of contemporary youth culture, ACG culture centers on animation, comics, and video games, emphasizing emotional resonance and creative expression. In recent years, the deep integration of LABUBU with ACG culture has not only enriched China’s pop culture ecosystem but also opened a new window for showcasing the country’s cultural soft power.
During the Chinese salon, international students not only learned Chinese vocabulary related to ACG culture but also designed their own LABUBU characters and shared original stories on stage, expressing creativity and emotion in Chinese. The event was lively and engaging, fostering mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and international students through interactive exchanges—truly embodying the idea of “cultural engagement promoting integration”.
(International students present their self-designed LABUBU characters on stage)
Blending cultural and trendy elements, this salon is a vivid reflection of the college’s efforts to build the brand of “Study at SBS—Silk Road Business Charm”. By combining original Chinese IP with pop culture appreciated by international students, it not only enhanced participants’ language application and cross-cultural communication skills but also deepened their understanding of contemporary China in a subtle and natural way, strengthening their emotional connection and affinity toward the country.
Looking ahead, the collage will continue to use “Study at SBS—Silk Road Business Charm” as a platform to organize more activities that integrate Chinese cultural elements and reflect the spirit of the times. Through these initiatives, young people from around the world will gain a better understanding of China through firsthand experience and emotional resonance, injecting youthful energy into the global dissemination of China’s cultural soft power.
(Scene from the Chinese salon for international students)
Written by: Zhang Ruyi
Photographed by: Zhang Ruyi
Reviewed by: Chen Wei
