International students find key to Chinese culture

International students at Shenyang Aerospace University in Shenyang found their way to Chinese culture through the handwriting of Wang Xizhi, China's most celebrated calligrapher.

Under the university's Chinese Culture Bookshelf project, 28 students from 10 countries tried their hand at the traditional Chinese art on Wednesday.

Calligraphy and poetry are my favorites, which bring me fun and pride and improve my understanding of Chinese culture and people here, said Neema Felix Ringo of Tanzania, who has studied Aeronautical Engineering at SAU for four years.

Li Lin, vice president of the Liaoning Calligraphers Association, said, "Calligraphy is the key to Chinese culture, and the best way to fall in love with a country is to understand its culture. International students are the seeds of friendship between China and people overseas."

Liaoning province had more than 27,700 overseas students from 166 countries at the end of 2018.

To enable international students to better complete their studies and understand China, it initiated the Chinese Culture Bookshelf project, which provides books, outdoor events and other experiences related to Chinese culture. The project was carried out at SAU this year and will be expanded to all universities in the province next year.

Zhang Yiduo contributed to the story.