Tongji University has launched the Sino-Italian Summer School 2025, welcoming more than 80 teachers and students from the Confucius Institutes at the University of Florence, the University of Padua, and the University of Naples L'Orientale, along with six high schools from Arezzo, Padua, and Naples. The opening ceremony took place on July 14.

Co-hosted by the Sino-Italian Campus of Tongji University and the Confucius Institute at the University of Florence, this year's program is titled "Marco Polo 2.0: A Cross-Cultural Journey to Explore Chinese Culture, Education and Technology". It offered a 14-day immersive experience in Shanghai and Chengdu.

Designed for Italian students studying the Chinese language and culture, the program builds on two decades of academic collaboration between Tongji and Italian institutions.

The curriculum is organized around four key modules: "Exploring Tongji University", "Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture", "Insights into Chinese Society" and "Youth Engagement and Interaction".

A highlight of the opening ceremony was a collaborative flag-painting activity, where Chinese and Italian students, together with teachers, participated in a shared expression of the program's spirit of cultural exchange.

Professor Qu Chen, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office at Tongji University, shared a well-known Chinese proverb: "Reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles." He encouraged students to learn not only through study but also through firsthand experience. Qu expressed hope that the journey beginning at Tongji would help participants trace the historic footprints of the China-Italy friendship in Shanghai and gain a vibrant, multi-dimensional perspective of modern China. He also called on them to become a new generation of cultural ambassadors and help shape a brighter future between the two countries.

Mr. Francesco D'Arelli, representative of the Consulate General of the Republic of Italy in Shanghai, shared his greetings via video. He thanked Tongji for organizing the summer school and spoke of the long history of dialogue between China and Italy, two nations that have exchanged ideas, knowledge, and innovation for centuries. Describing Shanghai as a city of the future and Tongji as one of China's most prestigious universities, he encouraged the students to embrace this opportunity for discovery and cross-cultural exchange.

Student representatives Francesco Venosti and Giorgia Veronese, both from the Confucius Institute at the University of Padua, delivered heartfelt speeches in fluent Chinese. They spoke of their passion for the Chinese language and their excitement to engage with Chinese culture in an immersive way. They also expressed their gratitude for the chance to connect with like-minded peers from across Italy and looked forward to deepening their understanding through meaningful cultural exchange.

The program reflects not only Tongji's longstanding ties with Italy but also the long history of Italian presence in Shanghai, dating back to the 17th century. Over the next two weeks, students will visit Tongji's schools and labs, interact with local high school students, and participate in the Sino-Italian Youth Joint Workshop on Sustainable Creativity.

In addition to academic and cultural activities, the program includes hands-on sessions in tai chi, martial arts, bamboo weaving, and fan calligraphy, offering students a window into traditional Chinese arts. Cultural excursions will take them to historical landmarks such as the Tushanwan Museum, the former residence of Xu Guangqi, and the Ba Jin Museum. They will also visit the Chengdu Panda Base and tour companies like the Consinee Group and Sichuan Airlines to see how modern China is evolving and expanding its global connections.

Source: Sino-Italian Campus of Tongji University