Just in time for the year to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, in order to promote students’ understanding of Chinese history and culture as well as deepen exchanges between university colleges, Cheng Yu Tung College of the University of Macau organized an exchange visit to Peking University’s Yuanpei College from May 19 to 25. The theme of this visit was “A Journey of Beijing’s Historical Culture”, where staff and students from both universities learned together and visited renowned historical sites in Beijing such as the Summer Palace, the National Museum, and the Beihai Park, allowing them to understand and appreciate the long history and culture of China.

At the launch ceremony on May 20, Dean of Yuanpei College Prof. Li Meng and Associate Master of Cheng Yu Tung College Prof. Gong Yingxue expressed their hope that the students would promote exchange and deepen friendship. Subsequently, the staff and students visited the Peking University campus.

During the exchange period, staff and students from the two colleges participated in a number of lectures on historical and cultural themes. Professor He Jin of Peking University provided an in-depth explanation of the origins of the historical relics on campus, guiding the staff and students to immerse themselves in the long history of the Yan Garden. Professor Chen Jun taught the singing techniques of Kunqu Opera, allowing the students to experience the beauty and unique charm of Kunqu. Professor Luo Xin gave a lecture on “How Reality Summons and Reshapes the Past” using the Spanish Flu as an example, allowing the students to reflect on the connection between history and the current society. The staff and students from the two colleges also participated in a variety of cultural experience activities, such as a guqin (a traditional Chinese musical instrument) workshop where Professor Li Yang of Peking University performed classic guqin pieces and taught the students basic guqin techniques.

This exchange activity has deepened the understanding of the University of Macau’s college staff and students on Chinese traditional culture and art, enhanced their understanding of the development of the motherland, and promoted exchange between the two colleges. Yuanpei College of Peking University will send 10 students to the Cheng Yu Tung College of the University of Macau for a one-week return visit in August this year, further strengthening the friendship between the two colleges.

Fig. 1. Staff and students from the two colleges taking a group photo at Yuanpei College, Peking University

Fig. 2. Guqin (a traditional Chinese musical instrument) workshop

Fig. 3. Staff and students from the two colleges taking a group photo at Tiananmen Square

Fig. 4. Visiting the Beihai Park

Fig. 5. Visiting the National Museum