From June 28 to July 7, 2026, METU Confucius Institute organized a group of 19 students to participate in the 2026 Chinese Bridge Summer Camp in Xiamen and Beijing, China. During the ten-day program, participants engaged in a wide range of language and cultural activities. Centered on Chinese language learning and cultural immersion, the summer camp featured thematic lectures, cultural experiences, company visits, and city excursions, enabling participants to gain a deeper understanding of China's outstanding traditional culture and modernization achievements. Through mutual learning and firsthand experiences, the students strengthened friendships and developed a richer understanding of contemporary China.
On the morning of June 29, the opening ceremony was held at Xiamen University. During the ceremony, our students performed the Chinese song Gardenia Blossoms (栀子花开), expressing their heartfelt wishes for youth and friendship through their sincere singing. They also presented a traditional Turkish folk dance, whose vibrant performance vividly showcased the unique charm of Turkish culture and received warm applause from the audience. These performances highlighted how cultural exchange and mutual learning between civilizations can foster friendship and mutual understanding among young people from China and Türkiye.
During their stay in Xiamen, participants took part in a variety of activities focusing on Chinese language learning, cultural experiences, and learning about contemporary China. They visited both the Xiang'an Campus and the Siming Campus of Xiamen University, where they experienced the vibrant academic atmosphere and innovative spirit of a world-class university. They learned the traditional Chinese martial arts routine Five-Step Fist, gaining an appreciation of the philosophy and spirit embodied in Chinese martial arts. They also attended a series of lectures, including China's Development over the Past 50 Years, Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence Technology, Chinese Character Culture, An Overview of China's Education System, and An Introduction to Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, which deepened their understanding of Chinese civilization and China's development from the perspectives of history, education, technological innovation, and traditional medicine. In addition, participants visited Gulangyu Island, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Nanputuo Temple, The Eighth Market, and Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street, where they immersed themselves in Xiamen's distinctive urban landscape and Minnan culture. They also visited Xiamen Chitut Technology Co., Ltd., gaining firsthand insight into the achievements of Chinese enterprises in technological innovation and green development, and further enhancing their understanding of a real, multidimensional, and comprehensive China.
On the evening of July 4, the delegation traveled to Beijing to continue its cultural exploration. Participants visited a number of iconic historical and cultural landmarks, including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Qianmen Street, Juyongguan Great Wall, the Summer Palace, the National Stadium (Bird's Nest), the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube), and the Temple of Heaven. Surrounded by a city where history and modernity coexist harmoniously, the students experienced the profound heritage of Chinese civilization. From the magnificent palace complex of the Forbidden City and the exquisite imperial gardens of the Summer Palace to the majestic Juyongguan section of the Great Wall and the modern architectural landmarks represented by the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, participants witnessed both China's long history and its dynamic contemporary development. They also experienced Chinese tea culture and Hanfu culture, appreciating the aesthetics and etiquette of traditional Chinese culture through tea appreciation, wearing Hanfu, and learning traditional etiquette. In addition, they enjoyed Chinese hotpot together, experiencing the values of togetherness, sharing, and hospitality embodied in Chinese culinary culture.
On July 7, the 2026 Chinese Bridge Summer Camp concluded successfully. Over the course of the ten-day program, participants not only improved their Chinese language proficiency and broadened their international perspectives, but also gained a deeper understanding of China's history, culture, technological innovation, educational development, and social progress through the integration of classroom learning and field visits. They experienced firsthand the unique charm of Chinese culture and the remarkable achievements of contemporary China.
Looking ahead, METU Confucius Institute will continue to serve as a platform for international Chinese language education, actively promoting youth exchanges and people-to-people exchanges between China and Türkiye, and contributing to the deepening of China–Türkiye friendship and mutual learning between civilizations.