On October 20, the “International Students Explore the North Bund” event took place in the North Bund Subdistrict, Hongkou District, Shanghai. Faculty members and international student representatives from the International Cultural Exchange School at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) attended the opening ceremony and visited sites in the subdistrict to learn about urban development and community life.

The event was hosted by the Hongkou District People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and co-organized by the North Bund Subdistrict Office. Attendees included Xie Rongrong, vice chairperson of the Hongkou District Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and president of the association; Guo Nan, director of the North Bund Subdistrict Office; Liao Guangjun, deputy director of both the General Office of the Hongkou District People’s Government and the North Bund Subdistrict Office; and Cai Rong, organization officer of the Communist Party of China (CPC) committee of SUFE’s International Cultural Exchange School.

The opening ceremony was moderated by Li Fangxia, deputy director of the General Office of the Hongkou District People’s Government and executive vice president and secretary-general of the association.

The ceremony was held at the North Bund Subdistrict Community Cultural Activity Center. In the welcome speech, Xie Rongrong expressed the hope that the event would foster exchanges and mutual understanding among young people from China and other countries and help more people get to know Hongkou and the North Bund.

Guo Nan presented a certificate to a student representative from France who goes by the Chinese name Yang Jingzhuo, appointing him as an ambassador for the North Bund’s “15-minute Community Life Circle” initiative, which aims to make everyday services accessible within a 15-minute walk of residents’ homes. Guo encouraged international students to experience local community life firsthand and share their observations with people abroad.

Liao Guangjun delivered a keynote speech on the North Bund’s urban development, community life, and cultural exchange initiatives.

Yang said that seeing the North Bund’s rapid development firsthand had helped him better understand what Chinese modernization looks like. He hoped to have more opportunities to learn about different aspects of life in China, share his experiences with friends abroad, and help promote exchanges among young people from different countries.

During the Q&A session, faculty members and students raised questions and exchanged views on urban culture and community life in the North Bund.

Following the opening ceremony, the group set out on the “Binfen Tour,” visiting the Embankment Building, a historic building that now also houses a community cultural space; Hoshu Superyacht, a yacht-shaped bookstore combining reading, dining, and cultural activities; and Binfen Space, a public space where people of all ages can relax and connect. Other stops included Hongliang 18 (a startup hub), filmmaker Malcolm Clarke’s studio on Panlong Street, and Panda Canteen (a community canteen).

The visits introduced students to cultural facilities, business support services, and everyday community amenities available to residents and workers in the North Bund.

The group then visited the Design Innovation Institute Shanghai, located at the former site of the Lester School and Henry Lester Institute of Technical Education. The historic building has been restored and repurposed for design research and innovation while retaining its architectural character.

The event gave international students at SUFE a broader understanding of Shanghai’s community life and urban renewal. SUFE’s International Cultural Exchange School will continue to encourage international students to explore Shanghai’s neighborhoods and cultural spaces and share their perspectives on China.

 

Source: Shanghai University of Finance and Economics