TRIP OF A LIFETIME

By Wang Fang

More than 20 students from seven countries attending“The Belt and Road?The Common Heart of the People”activity pose for a group photo during the Hand in Hand Forum at Beijing New Talent Academy.

“I am excited for this opportunity to come to China, and I have gained a better understanding of China through the ‘Hand in Hand’ activity,”declared Pyae Min Htet Kyaw, a 13-year-old from Myanmar. “I also made many friends.” He hopes that the friendship between China and Myanmar will last forever and never change.

The “Hand in Hand” activity under the theme “The Belt and Road·The Common Heart of the People” set off from Xi’an,a starting point on the ancient Silk Road, on May 14. Students from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar,Vietnam, Thailand and Mongolia traveled to Xi’an, Beijing,Hangzhou (capital of Zhejiang Province in eastern China),Fuzhou (capital city of Fujian Province), Zhuhai (a prefecturelevel city on the southern coast of Guangdong Province)and Guangzhou (capital of Guangdong Province) to explore and experience the splendid culture of the ancient Silk Road and the fast development of China across all aspects. The program also organized exchange activities with Chinese students to enhance understanding and friendship between them.

Mutual Understanding

On May 18, a delegation composed of more than 20 students arrived at Beijing New Talent Academy (BNTA) to participate in a series of events such as “My Motherland, My Dream” Hand in Hand Forum of the Youth at Home and Abroad,a carnival-themed activity, a painting activity and a celebration for the 10th anniversary of the founding of the BNTA.

To help foreign students become better acquainted with school life at the BNTA, students of the school led the delegation on an orientation tour through an art gallery, a science museum and an exhibition hall displaying environmentally-friendly products created by students out of old clothes and used goods.

In the exhibition hall, foreign students, dressed in their respective national costumes with local characteristics, showed strong interest in each place and asked the interpreter various questions. The interpreter from Myanmar explained in Chinese that it was the first time for any of the students to visit China and that there were so many things they had never seen before that they became fascinated by virtually everything they encountered in China.In an area showcasing creative products made by BNTA students,Dara Vatana, a student from Cambodia, tried on a cloak made of used goods, attracting reporters and teachers to take a photo of him.

2. Cambodian students watch smart robots made by students of Beijing New Talent Academy(BNTA).

1. The “Hand in Hand” activity sows the seeds of friendship between children from China and countries along the Belt and Road.

At the following forum,foreign diplomats from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand conducted a panel discussion with the delegation.Young students from China,Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar,Mongolia, Vietnam and Thailand shared ideas on the topic of “My Motherland, My Dream.” They spoke about their respective countries and shared experiences growing up and their dreams for the future. Some students talked about their dreams of writing songs extolling their motherlands, some expressed interest in returning to China to study and learn more about Chinese culture, and some mentioned desire to become excellent doctors to save lives.

Myanmar Ambassador to China U Thit Linn Ohn opined that the “Hand in Hand” activity was a tremendous benefit for the young students from Myanmar.Through the event, they became friends with teenagers from China and other countries. He hopes the children will learn from each other and learn more about the development of China.When they return home, they will share what they have seen and what they have learned in China with their peers in Myanmar.

Mr. Mongkol Visitstump,Thai Embassy Minister in China,said that the themed “The Belt and Road·The Common Heart of the People” activity will play an important role in promoting close people-to-people bonds between China and ASEAN countries. He hopes students from Thailand will learn more about Chinese history and culture and share the things they learn and their awareness of advanced technologies in China with their Thai friends after they return.

3. Chinese students instruct students from countries along the Belt and Road how to write Chinese calligraphy.

BNTA Chairman and Principal Lan Chun stressed that children are the future and the hope of a country. Through the “Hand in Hand” activity, students from different countries met and became familiar with each other,bringing their hearts closer.They will jointly grow up as participants and make individual contributions to the sustainable development of the Belt and Road.

Experiencing Chinese Culture and Development

A 13-year-old Cambodian boy named Sor Vireakboth reported that he visited the Terracotta Warriors and Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an and that the terracotta warriors and horses were impressive. “So I drew the terracotta army and the Great Wall,” he revealed. He is very fond of painting and once won top prize in a drawing contest in Cambodia. At the forum, foreign students talked about their experiences and what they have learned during this trip in China,and expressed their unforgettable memories about China such as terracotta warriors, Beijing roast duck and the Great Wall through their drawings.

children are the future and the hope of a country. Through the“Hand in Hand” activity,students from different countries met and became familiar with each other, bringing their hearts closer.

Every visiting student demonstrated specific skills and seemed to all excel in at least one field. Myanmar student Pyae Min Htet Kyaw revealed that he won first prize in an English speaking competition in Myanmar, but he is also good at music and sports.Everything in China wowed Pyae Min Htet Kyaw becauseit was his first visit. “I am very interested in Chinese culture,and I love the Great Wall and the Forbidden City,” he said. “Because China is the fastest growing big country, Myanmar should learn from China’s experiences and development.”

Cambodian student Dara Vatana dons on a cloak made of used goods built by students of Beijing New Talent Academy(BNTA).

“I was happy to come to

China and witness the fruits of its prosperous development,”said Lao student Youtpasong Khankeo. “I also made a lot of Chinese friends and learned how they study. I feel their hospitality and friendliness deeply.”

A Cambodian girl named Lay Panha Vipheavy showed particular interest in the

development of education in China. She said, “Through this activity, I realized the differences between China’s education system and ours in Cambodia.The education system in China is more developed and advanced.China’s prosperity is thanks to sound education system and high-caliber professionals.” She hopes that both the education and infrastructure construction in Cambodia will develop to become as advanced as it is in China. And she also hopes that students from the six foreign countries can visit China again some day.

Savita Noiprem, a girl from Thailand, admitted that she is obsessed with Chinese culture and enthusiastic about learning the language to become more intimate with Chinese culture and make more Chinese friends.

Through this trip in China, the foreign students not only learned more about China with their own eyes, but also made Chinese friends. Pyae Min Htet Kyaw said that when they conducted exchange with students from Beijing Bayi School, he made a lot of new friends. At first, he was nervous about talking to them,but they soon became good friends and the Chinese students explained much about Chinese culture and lifestyle.

“During the trip, we were all moving in a common direction—clasping hands along the Belt and Road and staying friends forever!” exclaimed Xu Yixuan,chief organizer of the activity.From May 2017 to January of this year, “Hand in Hand” activities were held in Vientiane, Yangon,Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville,Ulan Bator, Hanoi, as well as Bangkok, all of which reported satisfying outcomes.

From 2018 to 2022, a series of “Hand in Hand” activities in different forms will be organized including a drawing contest,a photography competition, a singing contest, a writing contest and a speech competition.