On the evening of May 11th, in the student activity center of Zhejiang Institute of Economics and Trade, a vibrant Sino-American youth gala was in full swing. Students played the classic Chinese tune Jasmine Flower with traditional Chinese musical instruments, Chinese and American youth sang We Are the World together, and there was a tense yet interesting Sino-American cultural knowledge quiz game...
These were the highlights of the closing ceremony of the Sino-American Youth Cultural Exchange and Training Camp, held during the 2025 Vocational Education Week by Zhejiang Institute of Economics and Trade in collaboration with Utah Valley University. The event, themed Experiencing the Inheritance of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Perceiving E-commerce Innovation, saw 32 American teachers and students delve into the e-commerce industry over six days, driven by a dual core of digital innovation and cultural heritage. They experienced the integration of technology and the economy, learned about Chinese traditional culture, and appreciated the beauty of intangible cultural heritage. Through their dialogue on technical skills, the participants felt the responsibility of vocational education in serving cultural heritage and innovation and empowering the digital economy, building a bridge of Sino-American friendship.
On the campus of Zhejiang Institute of Economics and Trade, the American teachers and students visited the Digital Artisans College and the e-commerce practice base of the school. They also participated in live - streaming practice courses with Chinese students. Through experiences in live - streaming sales and professional discussions with Chinese youth, they systematically perceived and learned about the operation and technical knowledge of modern Chinese e - commerce. In the research and practice session, the American teachers and students visited the Huawei Global Training Center to immerse themselves in the development prospects of China's digital intelligent era. They also visited specialized, refined, unique, and innovative enterprises such as Fujie and Liju. Based on their previous research, they presented their research projects and proposed innovative solutions for enterprises from an international perspective. During their visit to the Yiwu International Trade Mart, they explored the cutting - edge information of the cross - border e - commerce industry and investigated the Chinese practice of empowering industrial upgrading with digital technology. Through professional exchange, they engaged in dialogue on technical skills.
The American teachers and students deeply perceived the charm of Chinese traditional culture. They held writing brushes to experience Chinese calligraphy and appreciate the beauty of Chinese character structure. They practiced Tai Chi, held soft - ball rackets, and felt the philosophy of the combination of hardness and softness in every move. They rowed on the West Lake, appreciating the Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon, and understood the oriental aesthetics of harmony between man and nature in the landscape painting. They visited the Southern Song Dynasty Deshou Palace Site Museum and touched the elegance of the Song Dynasty through the thousand - year - old palace ruins. During the event, the school was hosting the 2025 Zhejiang Province College Table Tennis (Group B) Championship. The Chinese and American youth cheered for the spirit of sports and felt the charm of the national ball game at the competition site.
American student Kelly skillfully combined artistic colors with the traditional ink - wash painting atmosphere and painted a pattern themed Beauty on a round fan. She exclaimed, The beauty of China is hidden in calligraphy, in the moves of martial arts, and in the struggle on the table tennis court. These beauties transcend language and let me feel the charm of Chinese culture.
Chinese and American youth built a bridge of hearts through sincere dialogue. At the Sino-American Youth Symposium, teachers and students from both countries discussed topics such as education systems and professional development. They followed in the footsteps of President Xi Jinping, visited the Yiwu Lizu Village Party - Mass Service Center and the Common Prosperity Market, and deeply understood the significant achievements of China's beautiful countryside construction through in - depth conversations with villagers. At the closing ceremony, Chinese and American teachers and students participated in cultural quizzes, talent shows, and jointly performed Auld Lang Syne, filling the training camp with warmth and sincerity and planting the tree of friendship in the campus of Zhejiang Institute of Economics and Trade.
Looking back on this trip to China, we have touched the real and three - dimensional China. Everything here has left a deep impression on me. I love China! said student Dallin.
Rachel Bi, Director of the Department of Finance and Center for Financial Technology at Woodbury School of Business, Utah Valley State University, said, This training camp is not only a mutual learning of cultural symbols but also a deep integration of educational innovation. In the future, we will let more American students learn about the innovative practices of Chinese vocational education and become witnesses to China and inheritors of Sino-American friendship.
This training camp, taking the Vocational Education Week as an opportunity, built a three - dimensional empowerment system of cultural immersion - skill interconnection - youth dialogue. American youth deeply perceived the innovative vitality of Chinese vocational education through industry - education integration projects such as cross - border e - commerce practice. Chinese students demonstrated their vocational skills in bilingual courses and multinational cooperation. Both sides jointly verified the practical value of vocational education in serving cultural dissemination and promoting cultural exchange. In the future, Zhejiang Institute of Economics and Trade will continue to promote Sino - American cultural exchanges, invite more American youth to study in China, and jointly cultivate young envoys who understand both China and the United States. This will build a bridge for Sino - American friendship and write a new chapter in the international development of vocational education.
