Editor’s Note:

On  March 28, Capital Normal University (CNU) delivered a presentation to  share its exemplary practices at the Thematic Meeting on  People-to-People Diplomacy of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC  Beijing Municipal Committee. Let’s take a closer look at CNU’s wonderful  stories to witness the charm of people-to-people international  exchanges.

Established in 1954, CNU  is included in China’s Double First-Class Initiative and also one of the  earliest universities in Beijing to engage in international exchanges  and cooperation. In recent years, CNU has actively participated  Beijing’s efforts to build itself into a center for international  exchanges, serving China’s overall diplomacy. CNU has dedicated itself  to cultural promotion and global talent cultivation, contributing to  people-to-people connectivity between China and other countries.

I. Serving China’s Overall Diplomacy Through Cultural Exchanges

The  year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic  relations. A Chinese version of The Three Musketeers, a renowned French  literary masterpiece translated by Professor Li Yumin of the School of  Foreign Languages at CNU, along with more than ten other carefully  selected Chinese translations of French literary masterpieces, was  presented as a gift to President Emmanuel Macron. These works stand as  vivid testaments to the cultural exchanges and mutual learning between  China and France.

The Three Musketeers Translated by Professor Li Yumin

On  April 29, 2024, just ahead of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s visit to  Serbia, CNU held the first China-Serbia Cultural Exchange Forum in  Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. About 50 experts, scholars, and  government and industry representatives from China and Serbia gathered  to discuss the historical development of bilateral cultural exchanges,  civilization dialogue and new opportunities for people-to-people  exchanges under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The First China-Serbia Cultural Exchange Forum

On  May 9, 2024, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and  Aniko Levai, wife of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, jointly  visited the Independent Confucius Classroom, which was co-built by CNU  and the Hungarian-Chinese Bilingual School. They observed Chinese  language classes and traditional cultural lessons of paper-cutting and  calligraphy.

Peng Liyuan Visits the Hungarian-Chinese Bilingual School

Two  students from the Hungarian-Chinese Bilingual School, Hu Lingyue and  Song Zhixiao, wrote letters to President Xi Jinping in 2023, sharing  their experiences of studying Chinese for twelve years and expressing  their eagerness to study in China. These two students, along with other  Hungarian classmates, are now pursuing their studies at CNU, aspiring to  become envoys for promoting the friendship between China and Hungary.

Hu Lingyue (Right) and Song Zhixiao (Left), Students Who Wrote Letters to President Xi

II. Advancing People-to-People Connectivity between China and Other Countries through Cultural Development

Hanfu Parade Held by the Confucius Institute Co-built by CNU and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice

The  Confucius Institutes and independent Confucius Classrooms established  by CNU span across four continents. Since 2007, these institutions have  trained over 130,000 overseas students and organized more than 8,000  activities, earning widespread acclaim in their host countries and  regions. They serve as bridges and hubs that foster friendships and  mutual appreciation among youths worldwide.

Cultivating Overseas Chinese Language Teachers

CNU  has also vigorously promoted the cultivation of overseas Chinese  language teachers. Since 2018, it has trained 4,500 Chinese language  teachers from 41 countries, actively responding to the growing demand  for Chinese language learning globally. These teachers are encouraged to  serve as cultural envoys and tell the stories of China and Beijing  well. Three of CNU’s senior experts in Chinese language education have  served multiple times as the national Chinese language consultants in  the USA and Canada. During their postings, they trained teachers and  designed curriculum standards, making contributions to the global  promotion of Chinese language education.

III. Supporting Beijing in International Talent Cultivation with Diverse Programs

CNU Students Engage in Multi-Theme Workshops at International Organizations

CNU  has established a high-standard innovation and practice base for talent  cultivation. More than 400 students and faculty members have held  positions or completed internships with international organizations and  academic consortia, receiving widespread acclaim.

Former  Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović (Second from Left) and Her  Delegation Are Invited to Visit the Institute of Global and Area Studies  at CNU

The Institute of  Global and Area Studies at CNU brings together outstanding scholars in  Slavic studies and other fields, with a focus on the Balkan countries.  The institute actively contributes insights to the BRI and the  cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries  (CEEC).