July in sunny Yangzhou, Yangzhou University welcomes teachers and students coming from overseas to participate in the “Chinese Bridge” summer camp for Portuguese secondary school students in China.

On an opening ceremony held on the morning of July 20th, Yangzhou University warmly welcomes 54 Portuguese teachers and students. Zhou Guisheng, Dean of College for Overseas Education, delivers a warm welcome speech. In the speech, he states that this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Portugal and that both countries enjoy a long history of friendship and the two peoples have been friendly for a long time. In recent years, more and more Portuguese youths have been learning Chinese, and the “Chinese Bridge” summer camp has built a bridge for youths from both countries to enhance their mutual understanding. He expects Portuguese students would make the most of this valuable opportunity to learn and exchange. Through seeing, listening, and feeling more, students would take Yangzhou’s traditional culture and modernization development as a channel to have a true, multi-dimensional, and panoramic view of China, strive to become a link between China and Portugal, and play an active role in friendly exchanges between China and Portugal.

Mário Marques, the representative of Portuguese teachers, expresses gratitude to Yangzhou University for hosting the “Chinese Bridge” Summer Camp in China. He hopes students participating in the camp will gain insights and friendships in Yangzhou, share what they have seen and heard in China with their families and friends when returning to Portugal, and grow up to be new forces in promoting friendship between China and Portugal.

In the next two weeks, Yangzhou University will arrange a series of activities for Portuguese secondary school students, including survival Chinese language classes, traditional culture experiences, cultural visits, and visits to Chinese families.

This program gains support from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, and the Chinese Embassy in Portugal.