Youth exchanges 'crucial' to relations: ambassador
While the political and economic ties between China and Germany are vital to each country - they are each other's most important trade partner in their respective continent - the lifestyles and ways of thinking of their people differ widely, said Michael Clauss, German ambassador to China.
"Therefore, we need as many people as possible to understand each other's culture to promote the bilateral relationship, and the exchange of young people is crucial in the process," said Clauss in a speech at the embassy's open-house event in Beijing on Saturday.
The event was part of the China-Germany Year of Student and Youth Exchanges program launched in March. A friendly game of soccer, music, games, movies, exhibitions and language lessons attracted more than 2,000 visitors to the embassy, most of them families with children. One of the most attractive booths was from the German Embassy School Beijing, the largest at the event. Under the instruction of German teachers, children made handicraft and conducted science experiments.
The Goethe Institut held a book fair, introducing German story books. In the backyard, children learned how to play soccer. Young musicians from the Central Conservatory of Music Middle School presented a concert.
Half-hour German language lessons were held to give children a glimpse into the language.
World-renowned German beer and sausages were also served.
The open-house event has provided an opportunity for Chinese children and parents to discover how German people spend their childhood and youth and what German children learn at school and do in their spare time, said the ambassador.
"We expect Chinese children and their parents to be more interested in Germany through their direct experience, and learn what Germany can offer for their education, from language training classes to overseas education programs," he said.
Tang Wenbo, who brought her infant daughter to the open-house event, said she knew only a little about Germany, mostly the country's products, and was using the event to find out more about the culture.
Clauss said art exchanges are the best way to understand a nation and a culture, and will be highlighted in all the Sino-German exchange programs. He added that many agencies also have paid attention to the sector.
He noted one example of Sino-German cultural combination - Peking Opera Faust, adopted from the German classic. It was shown at the opening ceremony of the China-Germany Year of Student and Youth Exchanges program.
zhangzhao@chinadaily.com.cn
(China Daily 05/10/2016 page10)
