Youth from Home and Abroad Gather for Cultural Exchange: Xi'an Summer Camp “Meeting in Chang'an, Overseas Chinese Envision the Future” Kicks Off in Xi'an

Shaanxi Association of Canada   July 17, 2025

Youth from Home and Abroad Gather for Cultural Exchange: Chang'an and Chinatown's “Gathering in Chang'an, Overseas Chinese See the Future” 2025 Summer Camp Opens in Xi'an In the midsummer heat of July, the ancient capital of Xi'an welcomed a youthful gathering spanning mountains and seas. This morning (July 11), the opening ceremony of the Chang'an and Chinatown “Gathering in Chang'an, Overseas Chinese See the Future” 2025 Summer Camp was held at the Affiliated School of Xi'an International Studies University. Forty overseas Chinese youth from Ireland, Australia, Costa Rica, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries gathered with nearly 30 domestic campers to embark on a 10-day cultural exploration jour.

From Chang'an to the World: Painting a New Picture of Multiculturalism The ancient charm of Chang'an welcomes guests from afar, A youthful gathering ushers in a new journey. Organized by the Shaanxi Provincial Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Hosted by Huashang Daily, And executed by the Huashang International Communication Center and Xi'an Foreign Language University Affiliated School, This summer camp leverages activities in Chang'an and Chinatown To jointly explore new pathways for cultural exchange practices Between China and the world.

At the opening ceremony, Xie Xiaoyi, member of the Party Leadership Group and Secretary-General of the Shaanxi Provincial Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, expressed heartfelt expectations for all camp participants. He hoped this summer camp would open a window for everyone to look back at history, connect with their roots, envision the future, and communicate heart-to-heart. Xie encouraged the overseas Chinese youth to become promoters of mutual learning among civilizations and inheritors of people-to-people friendship, telling compelling stories about China and Shaanxi through their unique perspectives and vivid narratives. He also addressed domestic youth participants: “I hope you will engage enthusiastically with your overseas peers, confidently showcase the charm of Chinese culture, and broaden your international horizons while enhancing cross-cultural communication skills through these interactions.”

When students stand on our campus, they can feel the depth of China's traditional culture while also experiencing the open and inclusive atmosphere of a foreign language school. Lü Fei, Principal of Xi'an Foreign Language University Affiliated School, explained that the school leverages the university's high-quality educational resources to offer courses in multiple languages including English, Japanese, French, German, and Spanish. It integrates arts, technology, and traditional culture into diverse student clubs. “May this summer camp become an unforgettable journey in your lives—here, you will understand Chang'an's past and present, and witness the world's diversity and brilliance.”

At the opening ceremony, Feng Haocheng, a camper representative from the Costa Rica-China Cultural and Educational Center, greeted the audience in Spanish with “¡Pura Vida!” Excited to be attending his first summer camp, Feng expressed his anticipation for the 13,800-kilometer journey from tropical rainforests to ancient capitals. “Please allow me to say in Spanish: Gracias por hacerme sentir que el mundo cabe en un abrazo (Thank you for making me feel that the world can be embraced in one hug).”

As a student at Xi'an Foreign Language University Affiliated School, Wang Yinuo, representing domestic campers, deeply understands that language serves as a bridge for cultural exchange: “We will use our Chinese and English skills to introduce China's traditional culture and historical stories, while also listening attentively to the overseas cultures and life experiences they bring.” On-site, she extended a heartfelt invitation to her international peers: “Let us harness the vitality and passion of youth to help the world better understand China and enable China to better engage with the world.”

It is indeed a joy to have friends come from afar. At the ceremony, Chinese American team leader Qu Yabing likened this gathering across mountains and seas to “stringing together colorful beads,” hoping that Chinese American youth would explore the “roots” of Chinese civilization by touching the weight of millennia-old city walls and listening to the bloodline memories in their native dialects. “No matter which country you come from, we are all one family,” Qu Yabing said. “May each of you find your own surprises here and carry China's five-thousand-year civilization into the world and into the future!”

During the subsequent flag-presentation ceremony, campers were divided into four squads: “Zhou Xiaoli,” “Qin Xiaorui,” “Han Xiaoyang,” and “Tang Xiaohuan,” each embodying the cultural essence of the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties. Xie Xiaoyi presented the main camp flag, while representatives from each squad solemnly received their respective squad flags from distinguished guests. Guided by the camp flag and the four squadron flags, the campers embarked on their journey to explore the ancient capital, witnessing friendship and personal growth.

The “Classroom + Site Visit + Hands-on Practice” integrated learning approach launched their cultural exploration journey. Following the opening ceremony, all campers gathered for a group photo. The camera captured beaming, youthful smiles, preserving this unforgettable moment that transcended borders.

During the upcoming camp session, participants will embark on a rich cultural exploration journey through a multi-dimensional learning approach combining classroom instruction, on-site visits, and hands-on practice. They will visit the China Railway Xi'an Bureau Staff Training Base and the China-Europe Railway Express site to learn about China's latest technological achievements. They will tour the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, Huaqing Palace, and the Chang'an Twelve Hours themed street district to gain insights into Shaanxi's historical and cultural heritage. and visit the Aiju Grain and Oil Base to personally experience traditional Shaanxi noodle-making, gaining insight into the craftsmanship and heritage embedded in the province's noodle culture.

Additionally, to immerse campers in Shaanxi's cultural heritage and modern technological advancements, they will participate in specialized courses at Xi'an Foreign Language University Affiliated School and Shaanxi Normal University Luguang Primary School. Campers from China and abroad will form “hand-in-hand” partnerships to experience intangible cultural heritage crafts such as cotton-padding painting, Tang Dynasty enamel painting, and terracotta figurine making. Together, they will complete cultural tasks and deepen friendships. The curriculum will adopt an immersive, story-driven research model to connect the historical and cultural legacies of the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties while showcasing China's latest technological achievements. This “Gathering in Chang'an, Overseas Chinese Envision the Future” 2025 Summer Camp initiative not only enables more overseas youth to understand a real, multidimensional, and comprehensive China but also provides domestic youth with opportunities to broaden their international perspectives. This summer, the dialogue between Chang'an and Chinatown is writing a new chapter.

By Guo Jiaxin and Qiang Jun, Huashang Daily Dafeng News