On May 25th, Iradukunda Aimee from Rwanda and Abdusattor Somonii from Tajikistan, the two international students from our college, joined the culture tour initiated by Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Jiaxing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and organized by Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association, China Center of University of Manchester and Magnificent Culture. This has been the third time Magnificent Culture organized culture tour of this kind for foreigners. More than 60 people from 28 countries and international students from 11 Shanghai and Jiaxing universities have attended the event, including Professor YU Hongjun, Chief Consultant of Magnificent Culture and former Deputy Minister of International Department of Central Committee of CPC; SHA Hailin, Chairman of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and its Deputy Chairman JING Ying; SHEN Wenping, Director General of Foreign Affairs Office of Jiaxing Municipal Government; LU Jianfei, Executive Vice Chairman of Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association and FU Xiaoxiao, Executive Vice Chairman of University of Manchester Branch of Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association, Director of China Center of University of Manchester and Founder of Magnificent Culture.
（photo of outside the Site of the First National Congress of the CCP）
The tour kicked off with the visit to historic site of the First National Congress of the CCP in Shanghai and South Lake in Jiaxing City. Though far apart from each other, the two sites of major significance in Chinese history mark the commencement of the nation’s development. When interviewed by the press, Iradukunda Aimee from the school said in fluent Chinese, ‘I have watched many movies on how China was founded, so during the tour I feel as if I were in one of those movies.’ Following the visit, the students attended the seminar at one of the city’s historic neighborhoods, chaired by Mr. SHEN Wenping, Director General of Foreign Affairs Office of Jiaxing. During the seminar, on behalf of Shanghai Business School, Iradukunda Aimee said that he had visited Zhejiang many times but this was the first time to South Lake. He valued much the opportunity to participate such a meaning event before graduation. He also expressed his love for Chinese traditional culture and gave his best wishes to China.
（photo of Iradukunda Aimee from our school speaking at the seminar）
（photo of international students posing in front of Jiaxing Zongzi Culture Museum）
After the seminar, the international students visited Jiaxing Zongzi Culture Museum where they experienced traditional Chinese culture firsthand through learning the origin and history of Zongzi, reading related culture materials and having a taste of Zongyi. Insignificant as it looks, Zongzi not only connects one with friends and families, but also represents unity, tolerance and loving embedded in the spirit of Chinese people. The tour has helped international students to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese history and culture, and to bring closer friends at home and abroad.
Written by: Shen Lanxin
Photographed by: Shen Lanxin
Reviewed by: Chen Wei
