China-U.S. fencing invitational at Tsinghua promotes cultural exchange

The China-U.S. University Fencing Invitational and Cultural Exchange, co-organized by the Ministry of Education's China Center for International People-to-People Exchange and Tsinghua University, was recently held at Tsinghua University. 

The event featured 24 athletes from the fencing teams of five prestigious universities – Tsinghua University, Peking University, Sun Yat-sen University, Stanford University and Columbia University.

The competition, which took place on Sunday at Tsinghua's North Gymnasium, followed a mixed-team format. Athletes were randomly grouped into four teams of six, regardless of their nationality or university affiliation. The match order was also determined by drawing lots. 

Yu Changxue, director of the Ministry of Education's China Center for International People-to-People Exchange, emphasized that sports play a crucial role in cultural exchange, helping to build mutual understanding and friendship among nations.

Yu expressed hope that through this fencing event, students could transcend cultural and language differences, forge strong friendships, and become ambassadors of cultural exchange between China and the U.S., contributing to the ongoing development of friendly relations between the two countries.

Shi Zongkai, vice chairperson of the University Council at Tsinghua, expressed confidence that the exchange fostered by this competition would deepen understanding and strengthen the bonds of friendship and trust between Chinese and American students.

In addition to the competition, participants also had the opportunity to visit the Great Wall, the Summer Palace and the Tsinghua University campus. The students also took part in a joint cultural performance, where they shared the stage to showcase their talents.