Source：School of Arts and Media

On August 28, the closing ceremony of the "Foreign Eyes on Lilong" series took place at the Pudong New Area CPPCC Members’ Consultation and Activity Center. Since the launch of the series in May this year, the School of Arts and Media of Tongji University has collaborated with more than ten university departments including the Foreign Affairs Office, the International Students Office, and the International School. Over thirty foreign teachers and students from Canada, Spain, Russia, Hungary and other countries have taken an in‑depth part in seven culturally rich and diversified experiential activities. Through immersive experiences, these faculty and students gained insights into Shanghai and perceived China.

They learned about the grassroots practice of whole‑process people’s democracy at the opening ceremony; experienced the Jiangnan charm of intangible‑cultural‑heritage paper‑tearing art and Pingtan storytelling in Changning District; witnessed the new look of rural areas and urban renewal along the "Five‑Ring Water Network" during their Pudong visit; and observed consultations on people‑oriented medical services as well as immersed themselves in Shanghai‑style arts within the Hengfu Historical Conservation Zone in Xuhui District. Foreign teachers and students explored Shanghai on foot and understood China through a "foreign perspective".

WANG Xin, Vice Dean of the School of Arts and Media at Tongji University, delivered a speech at the closing ceremony. She pointed out that the most valuable achievement of this series lies in building a four‑dimensional international communication paradigm integrating reasoning, real‑life stories, emotional resonance and situational experience, which endows cross‑cultural exchanges with substance, warmth and depth. Reasoning clarifies ideas and enables international students to grasp the logic of China’s development through firsthand observation. Real‑life stories convey voices and preserve vivid memories of Shanghai for young people worldwide. Emotional resonance connects hearts and bridges the gap between Chinese and foreign teachers and students. Situational experience empowers participants and fosters in‑depth integration of global vision with local on‑the‑ground experiences.

Culture knows no boundaries, and beauty is to be shared by all. Going forward, the School of Arts and Media of Tongji University will keep leveraging diverse international exchange platforms to guide more foreign teachers and students to engage with, understand and tell stories about China. The school will contribute Tongji’s strength to advancing mutual learning among Chinese and foreign youth and deepening people‑to‑people bonds between China and the rest of the world.