On September 27, Harbin Engineering University (HEU) held a welcome ceremony for foreign guests invited to the 8th International Cultural Festival in the VIP Meeting Room of the Qihang Activity Center. Vice President YU Zhiwen met with representatives from the embassies of Thailand, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Turkmenistan, and Angola in China, officials from the Laotian government, and distinguished Pakistani alumni.

In his remarks, YU Zhiwen noted that the International Cultural Festival, coinciding with the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, highlights the university’s achievements in international student education and serves as a bridge for mutual learning between Chinese and foreign cultures. He expressed the hope that the festival would provide new opportunities to deepen practical cooperation with partner countries in education, science and technology, and cultural exchange.

Guests from participating countries expressed their sincere gratitude to HEU for its long-standing commitment to cultivating high-quality talent. They affirmed their willingness to take the festival as a new starting point to strengthen collaboration with the university in education, research, cultural exchange, and related fields, working together to elevate bilateral partnerships to new heights. Following the discussions, both sides exchanged gifts and took group photos to mark the occasion.

With the theme “Joy Across Continents, Songs Resonate Worldwide,” this year’s International Cultural Festival showcased the traditions and customs of 50 countries and featured a diverse program of cultural experiences and artistic performances.