From July 19 to 20, the 2024 “Belt and Road” China-Cambodia Cultural Exchange and Chinese Painting and Calligraphy International Exhibition, co-organized by ZUFE, the Confucius Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, the Zhejiang Province Calligraphers Association (ZJSSFJXH), and the Zhejiang Education Calligraphy Association, was ceremoniously held at the Confucius Institute Exhibition Hall of the Royal Academy of Cambodia in Phnom Penh. Representatives from the School of Humanities and Communication, faculty representatives from the School of Arts, and distinguished guests attended the event. Prominent figures attending the opening ceremony includes Zhang Yunfeng, vice chairman of the Cambodia-China Friendship Association; Wang Feng, Chinese co-director of the Confucius Institute; Mao Chenen, executive director of the World Cultures Industry Exchange Union; Huang Huanming, executive vice president of the Khmer-Chinese Association and president of the Jian Hua Daily; Kang Guanjing, president of the Guangdong Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia; Chen Honglin, leader of the Third Batch of Chinese Medical Aid Team to Cambodia; as well as students and teachers from the Confucius Institute, artists, local citizens, and overseas Chinese, totaling over 100 attendees. This event was one of the cultural events commemorating the 66th anniversary of China-Cambodia diplomatic relations on July 19, 2024, and was specially covered by Jian Hua Daily.

Opening Ceremony

Exhibition

Confucius Institute students and faculty, Phnom Penh residents, and overseas Chinese visit the exhibition

The exhibition featured 50 artworks by ZUFE’s faculty, students, and artists from Zhejiang Province. During the exhibition, Sin Theab Yablon, deputy director of the Higher Education Department of the Cambodian Ministry of Education, visited for an exchange. The event attracted hundreds of attendees, including Cambodian artists, local citizens, members of the Chinese community, and faculty and students from the Royal Academy of Cambodia, receiving widespread local attention.

The delegation attended a series of events, including the China-Cambodia and China-Malaysia International Cultural Exchange Seminar and Calligraphy Symposium, held at the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia on July 20 and at the North Kuala Lumpur International College in Malaysia on July 22. Delegation members gave keynote speeches and demonstrated traditional Chinese calligraphy on-site. More than 300 participants, including faculty and students from both institutions, scholars, and students from six local primary and secondary schools, highly praised traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy and expressed great enthusiasm for Chinese culture.

Cultural Exchange Seminar and Calligraphy Session at the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia

Cultural Exchange Seminar and Calligraphy Session at North Kuala Lumpur International College (attended by officials from the Curriculum Development Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia)

Cultural Exchange Seminar and Calligraphy Session at North Kuala Lumpur International College (attended by Malaysian President, Lin Xiaoxiong)

This cultural exchange and international exhibition were part of ZUFE’s efforts to respond to President Xi Jinping’s “the Belt and Road Initiative” and advance the strategy of proposing Chinese culture going global. The event contributed significantly to promoting the rich heritage of Chinese traditional culture and fostering deeper cultural ties between China and Southeast Asian countries.