On the morning of Dec. 26th, 2016, the 14th Chinese-retraining Class for Youth of Cheongju, Korea opened at 216#Conference Room, Jianghan University (JHUN). The Opening Ceremony was presided over by Chen Kai, the Vice President of School of International Education of JHUN, with attendees including: The Head of South Korea Chungbuk Youth Union Affairs Office, a Cheongju government official as well as a research student, a cultural attaché of South Korea Cheongju Overseas Business Office, a teacher of South Korea Cheongju Industrial High School, a teacher of Eum Sung High School, Korea, and all trainees of Chinese-retraining Class of Cheongju, Korea, Li Weidong, the Vice President of JHUN, Jin Wanchan, the Head of Asian Division of Foreign Affairs (Overseas Affair) Office of Wuhan Municipal Government, and relevant personnel in charge of JHUN’s Publicity Department, Teaching Affairs, Office of Foreign Affairs, School of International Education and other departments.
Li Weidong, the Vice President of JHUN, gave a speech at the Opening Ceremony and extended a warm welcome to friends and students from South Korea. The sister-city relationship between Cheongju and Wuhan has been established for 16 years since from Oct. 29th, 2000. Li Weidong said, “Through efforts jointly made by the two cities’ governments and mayors, there have been new breakthroughs achieved in exchange and cooperation between the two cities in various aspects, and JHUN plays an important role in such exchange and cooperation”; in addition, “Young people of China and South Korea represent the hope for the future of the two counties’ friendly relationship, and the seeds of friendship are easily rooted in their hearts; the exchange will promote the profound friendship between the two cities’ people”, he said.
Aresearch student and an official of South Korea Cheongju Government, also delivered a speech. She said it was really glad to visit JHUN again, highly praised the warm reception of JHUN, called on Chinese and South Korean students to be envoys for exchanges between China and South Korea, and thanked JHUN for the foreign exchange.
A trainee representative from Yangqing High School, also makes a speech; she says that she learned a lot during visit to JHUN three years ago and she visits here again not only because of her interest in China but also for the purpose of having a better understanding of Chinese language and culture. Jin Huarui, a student of JHUN, also makes a speech; he firstly extends a warm welcome to friends from South Korea, then introduces himself in both Chinese and Korean, reviews the last three Chinese-retraining classes, and looks forward to the 14th Chinese-retraining Class to be organized successfully.
Jin Wanchan, the Head of Asian Division of Foreign Affairs (Overseas Affair) Office of Wuhan Municipal Government, praised the great progress achieved in the exchange and cooperation in various aspects for 16 years since establishment of sister cities between Wuhan and Cheongu, pointed out that South Korea Chinese-retraining Class for Youth is a foreign exchange program of great significance, acknowledges fruitful efforts made by JHUN for exchange between the sister cities for 14 years, and expressed that Wuhan Municipal People’s Government and Foreign Affairs (Overseas Affair) Office of Wuhan Municipal Government would strengthen the support in such exchanges.
Under the leadership of two teachers, 20 trainees of the 14th Chinese-retraining Class for Youth of Cheongju, Korea coming from various middle schools and high schools (the oldest of them is 16 years old and the youngest 13 years old) visited JHUN for learning. In the three-week schedule ahead, they will take such courses as Introduction to China, Primary Oral Chinese, Chinese Ethnic Dances, Chinese Folk Music, Chinese Calligraphy and Painting, experience Chinese culture in Chinese families, visit Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Wuhan and Foreign Affairs (Overseas Affair) Office of Wuhan Municipal Government, and take part in various cultural studies and other relevant activities.
It’s the 14th time for Chinese-retraining Class to organize teenagers to learn Chinese culture in JHUN. In the past 13 years, JHUN has received more than 360 teenagers from South Korea studying in JHUN. The 14th Chinese-retraining Class for Youth of Cheongju, Korea (to be organized the School of Internation Education of JHUN) not only offers a platform for South Korean teenagers to learning Chinese culture, but also further promotes the friendship between students of China and South Korea along with the friendship between Cheongju and Wuhan.
