From July 25 to 30, the 2024 Wuhan International Sister Cities Youth Exchange Week, co-hosted by the Wuhan Foreign Affairs Office, Wuhan Municipal Education Bureau, and Jianghan University, was successfully held in Wuhan. Under the theme “Though far apart, neighbors at heart”, forty-two representatives from Cheongju, the Republic of Korea (ROK); Győr, Hungary; Siem Reap Province, Cambodia; and São Paulo, Brazil, along with four youth representatives from Hong Kong, China, gathered in Wuhan to deepen friendships and mutual trust.

The six-day event kicked off with an opening ceremony and a welcome banquet, followed by the 29th China-Korea Youth Martial Arts Cultural Exchange Contest at Jianghan University on the afternoon of the 26th. This flagship initiative featured impressive performances in Chinese martial arts, opera, Korean taekwondo, aikido, and dance by young performers from China and ROK, celebrating a decade-long partnership between Wuhan and its sister city Cheongju .

Throughout the week, delegates took part in various visits and hands-on activities. At the Wuhan Planning Exhibition Hall, they learned about the city’s history and future development. At the Wuhan Science and Technology Museum, they visited a space station model and played human-machine chess games. At the Tanghu Art Museum, they explored ancient Chinese printing techniques through printmaking. The young participants also stayed with local host families. Visiting iconic landmarks and experiencing daily life with students from the Wuhan Art School, Wuhan No. 39 High School, and Wuhan Primary School offered them a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and lasting friendships that transcended languages barriers.

As the first international youth exchange event held in Wuhan since the pandemic, the 2024 Wuhan International Sister Cities Youth Exchange Week aimed to promote youth exchanges and strengthen people-to-people bonds between Wuhan and its sister cities. The event was a resounding success, leaving participants with fond memories of Wuhan’s beauty and its hospitable people.