The opening ceremony of the BFSU Chinese Bridge Summer Camp for Qatari Youth Students was held on July 6.

The event, hosted by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), the Chinese embassy in Qatar, Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), marks the beginning of youth exchanges between China and Qatar on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Hu Zhiping, deputy director of the CLEC, speaks at the opening ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

In his address at the opening ceremony, Hu Zhiping, deputy director of the CLEC, expressed his hope that the participating students can experience the genuine nature, warmth, openness, and inclusiveness of the Chinese people during their stay in China.

Hu also encouraged them to develop a love for the Chinese language and culture and to share their experiences in China with their families and friends, thus contributing to the Sino-Qatari friendship.

Zhao Gang, a member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university, speaks at the opening ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Zhao Gang, a member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university, highlighted the long-standing friendship between China and Qatar, which dates back to more than 1,300 years ago, when the Maritime Silk Road connected the two countries.

As the university offers the most foreign language programs in China, BFSU has been committed to bridging cultural gaps through language teaching and strengthening the friendship between China and Qatar, he added.

Zhao encouraged participants of the summer camp to gain a deeper understanding of China, learn the Chinese language, facilitate cultural exchanges, and contribute to the continued development of Sino-Qatari relations.

Teacher and student representatives of the summer camp speak at the opening ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

The summer camp provides an opportunity for cultural exchanges and language learning and allows Qatari students to immerse themselves in the rich language and culture of China, as well as to establish connections with the Chinese people, said Abdullah Al Mulla from Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

Mulla expressed his wish for the continued cooperation and mutual learning between the two countries, and underlined the significance of embracing cultural diversity and paving the way for a brighter future.

Omar Alimadi, a trainee at the camp, acknowledged the profound history and traditions of China, emphasizing the far-reaching influence of Chinese culture in education, technology, art, and various other fields. 

Learning Chinese not only provides communication skills but also opens the door to numerous opportunities in today's interconnected world, Alimadi added.

Participants of the opening ceremony of the BFSU Chinese Bridge Summer Camp for Qatari Youth Students pose for a group photo. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

As an important initiative to implement the consensus reached at the China-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit and initiate Chinese language education cooperation between China and Qatar, the summer camp, which lasts for 26 days, will take place in Beijing and Xi'an, enabling participants to learn Chinese, experience Chinese culture and explore cultural differences.