On April 17, the Lingang campus of Shanghai Dianji University hosted a people-to-people cultural exchange event organized by the Western Returned Scholars Association (WRSA) under its university-district collaboration framework. With the theme "Encountering Classics, Embracing the World," the spring afternoon gathering brought together Chinese and international students and faculty from multiple universities. Through hands-on cultural activities and cross-cultural performances, participants took part in a vibrant celebration of shared heritage and mutual understanding.

In his address, Lu Xionggang, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shanghai Dianji University, emphasized the three key roles of the Western Returned Scholars Association: building a talent pool of returnees who serve the nation, providing a think tank for policy advice, and acting as a driving force in grassroots diplomacy. He noted that the university's WRSA chapter has been actively bringing together returned overseas talent to support regional development. With traditional Chinese attire as a medium and culture as a bridge, today's event aims to foster mutual learning between Chinese and other civilizations. Lu expressed hope that such efforts would further strengthen district-university collaboration and people-to-people diplomacy, injecting youthful energy into the shared future of humanity.

Ahead of the main program, the organizers transformed the venue into a "First Encounter" Chinese cultural fair, turning traditional etiquette, intangible heritage, and seasonal charm into an interactive cross-cultural space. This interactive setup served as a vibrant platform for cross-cultural exchange among Chinese and international students and faculty. Across eight experiential zones, attendees eagerly tried on traditional Chinese attire, experienced period-style makeup and hairstyling, painted lacquer fans, practiced stone rubbings, made paper-cuts, played pitch-pot, solved riddles, tried calligraphy, and crafted spring floral headpieces. Each activity drew curious participants eager to explore and engage.

Next came a vibrant cross-cultural performance, where Eastern and Western traditions collided and converged on stage. The lineup featured a Chinese instrumental ensemble playing "King of Beasts," a fusion rendition of the classic folk song "Jasmine Flower," a unique blend of bel canto and Peking Opera in "Calming the Waves," a classical Chinese dance titled "Drumming and Dancing," a creative spoken-word and musical tribute to China's floral heritage, a medley of ethnic minority dances celebrating unity across Chinese communities, the patriotic ballad "China in Lights," and a fashion walk by international students wearing traditional Chinese attire. The evening concluded with all participants—Chinese and international students and faculty alike—joining voices in a heartfelt rendition of "We Are the World."

During an interlude in the performances, three senior members of the Western Returned Scholars Association shared personal stories of how they have actively promoted grassroots diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding through their studies and work. Jiang Zibo from the Lingang chapter spoke of the deep sense of responsibility that returnees feel toward their homeland. Liu Jinming from the Baoshan chapter recounted his heartwarming journey of building bridges of trust between Chinese people and people from other countries. Wang Shuo from the Shanghai Dianji University chapter shared his commitment to educational exchange through Sino-foreign cooperative programs.

For the Western Returned Scholars Association, this event marked a fresh approach to grassroots diplomacy through university-district collaboration. The message from the organizers was clear: immersive experiences spark real understanding. Chinese students deepened their cultural roots, international students discovered a more nuanced China, and together, they built friendships that transcended borders.

Source: Shanghai Dianji University