International students explore China's traditional building craft

Around 20 international students from the Capital University of Economics and Business in Beijing recently joined a hands-on cultural training session that immersed them in the precision and artistry of traditional Chinese wooden architecture, as part of a strategy to contribute to Beijing's development as an international exchange center.

The workshop, organized on November 19, focused on crafting and assembling the ancient mortise and tenon joint system that dates back several thousand years and enables Chinese wooden structures to stand securely without a single nail or screw.

During the recent session, students practiced making components of the mortise and tenon joint system, following a sequence of traditional procedures including material cutting and slotting. Each step demanded meticulous attention and craftsmanship.

Among the participants was 20-year-old Cami Ferrari Celina from Uruguay, who studied architecture in her home country. Drawn by a deep fascination with Chinese architectural art, she moved to Beijing three months ago when her father received a work opportunity in China. She soon enrolled at the university's School of International Education to begin her studies in the Chinese language. This cultural training activity offered her a rare opportunity to step directly into the world of traditional craftsmanship that she has long admired.

"This was my first time making a mortise-and-tenon joint," said Celina, sharing her excitement after the activity. "Experiencing it myself makes me appreciate the culture even more. My time in Beijing has already been unforgettable after eating delicious jiaozi dumplings and learning so many new interesting things," added the 20-year-old student.

The workshop is part of a broader collaborative effort between Beijing Vocational Transportation College and the Capital University of Economics and Business to enhance cultural and technical training opportunities for international students in China. In April, the two institutions officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement, aiming to expand the international reach of traditional Chinese culture together.

Under the agreement, international students from the Capital University of Economics and Business are offered a professional platform to study Chinese cultural heritage. To date, three groups of young international students from the university have successively participated in this hands-on cultural training session.