The opening ceremony for the 20th Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp was held on July 13 at the Minhang Zizhu Campus of the No 2 High School of East China Normal University, bringing together 107 students and teachers from 17 countries across five continents.

The camp, co-hosted by the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Shanghai Youth Federation, runs from July 12 to 22.

Over the past two decades, the program has welcomed 1,918 young people and teachers from 70 countries and regions, fostering friendship through cultural exchange.

This year's camp features students and teachers from the United States, Australia, Italy, Malaysia, and other countries. For the first time, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Montenegro, and Turkmenistan are also participating.

After the opening ceremony, participants formed mixed teams for icebreaker games and a group drumming activity, giving many of them their first chance to meet peers from other countries.

In the coming days, participants will take part in painting activities and forums focused on youth, the future, and sustainable development. The program will also include a mini world expo, hands-on technology experiences, and activities related to intangible cultural heritage, offering participants a closer look at Shanghai's culture and innovation.

They will also join citywide orienteering activities and spend a day with local families, deepening their understanding of Shanghai's daily life and urban culture. A visit to Suzhou will give them further insights into the Yangtze River Delta region.

For some students, the camp is also an opportunity to deepen their connection with China.

Denissza Inges, a 16-year-old student from Hungary, said it was her first time in Shanghai, although she had visited China several times before. She said she has been learning Chinese since kindergarten and joined the camp after hearing about it from her sister, who participated in 2024.

Krishav Pant, a 16-year-old student from Nepal, has studied Chinese for three years and hopes to attend Tsinghua University in the future. He said he had long heard about Shanghai's technological development and was looking forward to experiencing the city firsthand.

Niccolo Franca, a 17-year-old student from San Marino, said he had already made friends with a Chinese student and was looking forward to exploring Shanghai and Suzhou during the camp.

For Samson Kgomotso Moimane, a teacher and group leader from South Africa, the camp offers students a platform to experience different cultures and think about the future together.

Visiting Shanghai for the third time, Moimane said China had come to feel like a home away from home. He said students from South Africa are interested in China and Shanghai, especially the city's technological progress.

On a previous visit, he was especially impressed by the WorldSkills Museum, where visitors can learn about innovative technologies and projects.

"We always look forward to visiting Shanghai to experience it firsthand, and every time we do, we are never disappointed," he said.

Moimane said youth exchanges are important because they help students from different countries understand and accept one another, reducing misunderstandings around the world.