On the afternoon of May 18th, the Heilongjiang Tryout of the Third China Exploration— Sports & Culture Competition for Overseas Students in China ended in NEFU gymnasium. NEFU team advanced to the Northeast Regional Final ranking 1st in team total score.
“China Exploration” is sponsored and initiated by the Ministry of Education as a brand program for overseas students in China, featuring sports events and talent shows to showcase the positive and healthy images as well as the youthful demeanor of overseas students in China. Moreover, it is also designed to enhance their overall understanding of China and promote the exchange and interaction between Chinese and foreign students through team cooperation.
The Heilongjiang Tryout involves Sports Art Display, Orienteering and 3-on-3 Basketball Game. There are altogether 121 athletes of 11 teams from Heihe University, Heilongjiang University, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin Medical University, Jiamusi University, Qiqihar University and Northeast Forestry University taking part in the competition.
At the opening ceremony on May 17th, Li Shunlong, the Vice President of NEFU noted in his address that the competition is aimed to boost interaction, build friendship and promote mutual progress in cooperation; all the athletes should comply with the rules, follow fair play and impartial judgment and improve individual quality; all the teams should push their limit in learning, unceasingly transcend themselves in self-respect and enjoy delight in tolerance. Zong Xiyun, the Deputy Director of the Division of International Cooperation & Exchange of Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Education expressed that the competition is not only a favorable opportunity to show the educational achievements of the overseas students cultivation in Heilongjiang province, an effective way to assess the overseas students programs, but also serves as a crucial platform for mutual exchange among students from different universities. Deputy Director Zong Xiyun hoped that the universities should strengthen exchange and learn from each other; the instructors and referees should follow fair play and impartial rule; the contestants should fully present their recognition and understanding of Chinese culture and the local culture of Heilongjiang province so as to win honor for our province with excellent performance.
In Sports Art Display, the athletes exhibited their individual understanding of Chinese culture in a wide range of forms such as Chinese Kongfu, dancing and gymnastics, presenting superb performances. In Orienteering, the contestants could reach the finish line only after they had sought several field checkpoints independently and passed the test about knowledge related to traditional Chinese culture and sports.
During the competition, the overseas students from different universities strengthened mutual understanding and interaction, broadened their vision and substantially bolstered their perception about traditional Chinese culture. After the competition, Butte, a NEFU overseas student from Mongolia said:”I was very excited to take part in this competition and felt highly delighted to come to China to study. I had been to China when I was a child. This is a beautiful country.” “I love China. I love the hospitable Chinese people and I like the Central Street in Harbin most.” said Yuying, the dancing partner of Butte, an overseas student from Russia.
After two days of rivalry, NEFU team ranked 1st in the total score. Both the teams from Harbin Normal University and Harbin Engineering University ranked 2nd. The three winning teams will participate in the Northeast Regional Final of “China Exploration”.
