17th Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp opens

The 17th Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp commenced on Friday and welcomed over 70 campers from 11 countries.

Themed "Peace, Friendship, and the Future", the camp is hosted by the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and aims to foster cross-cultural communication and allow international students to better understand Chinese culture.

Among the international participants was Simon Subriana Ricardo from Bolivia, who expressed his excitement about being in China for the first time.

"I feel that everyone is so friendly here. I am also amazed by the food here - it is completely different from the Chinese food in my own country," he said.

The event started with a jump rope performance, which was followed by the introduction of distinguished guests. Students from different countries were divided into six groups, and each group had to design and present a flag representing unity and international communication during the opening ceremony.

In the following 10 days, participants will explore Shanghai's iconic landmarks, learn about traditional Chinese arts and culture, and engage in interactive sessions on Chinese technological innovations. The campers will also travel to Anhui province to learn about modern villages.

Chen Leyang contributed to this story.