From Nov 17 to 28, the 2025 Chinese Bridge Winter Camp for Brazilian students was successfully held at the Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE). The camp was hosted by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and organized by CUFE. Twelve outstanding students from the Confucius Institute jointly established by CUFE and the University of Pernambuco (UPE) participated in the program. Through learning, cultural immersion, and exchange, the participants experienced the richness of Chinese culture, as Chinese and Brazilian youth deepened their friendship.

The opening ceremony took place on Nov 17 in the Academic Hall. Before the ceremony, Professor Li Tao, vice-president of CUFE, met with Professor Igor Lapsky, director of International Cooperation of UPE and Brazilian co-Director of the Confucius Institute, and warmly welcomed the visiting teachers and students. He expressed hope that the winter camp would enhance mutual understanding and friendship. During the ceremony, remarks were delivered by Dr Guo Feng, deputy director of the Office of International Cooperation, Professor Dai Juncheng, vice-dean of the School of Culture and Communication, Associate Professor Liu Liguang, Chinese co-Director of the Confucius Institute, and Igor Lapsky. Professor Shi Wenjie from the School of Foreign Studies delivered a keynote lecture on “The Historical and Cultural Significance of Beijing’s Central Axis.”

The winter camp featured structured Chinese language courses and a series of hands-on cultural activities. The language courses, taught by postgraduate students majoring in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages at the School of International Cultural Exchange, significantly enhanced participants’ practical communication skills. Guided by faculty and students from the School of Culture and Communication and the School of Foreign Studies, participants tried their hand at traditional arts including Chinese calligraphy, ink painting, Chinese knotting, paper cutting, and sachet making.

To deepen cultural understanding, field visits and cultural excursions were also organized. Participants visited major historical and cultural landmarks in Beijing, including the Museum of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum. Accompanied by CUFE student volunteers, they practiced Chinese and conducted cultural dialogues in real-life scenarios. The group also visited the Center for Language Education and Cooperation to learn more about China's achievements in promoting international Chinese language education.

At the closing ceremony on Nov 28, certificates of completion were presented to all Brazilian participants. During a dialogue session between Chinese and Brazilian students, the participants shared their experiences and reflections, expressing appreciation for the vibrant cultural exchange and the lasting friendships formed during the program. Many noted their willingness to contribute to future cooperation and mutual understanding between the two countries.

The winter camp is an important initiative by CUFE in advancing the People-to-People Connectivity Program, which is one of the five programs for the China-LAC community with a shared future. It represents a concrete step forward in CUFE’s efforts to enhance educational openness, deepen the development of its jointly established Confucius Institutes, and promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Brazil.

Writers: FANG Yi, XU Kerou

Reviewers:GE Jianxin, GUO Feng

Editors: LI Ying

Approvers: HUO Xiaoran