Gen Z delegation from Northern Ireland takes campus tour in Beijing

A Northern Ireland delegation composed of eight teachers and students from Banbridge Academy, Lumen Christi College, and Ballymena Academy visited Beijing from October 26 to 28. Coordinated by the BPAFFC, the delegation engaged in cultural exchanges at Beijing Experimental School (Haidian) on the morning of October 27.

Wu Bing, Vice President of the BPAFFC, met with the visiting delegation at the school. He extended a warm welcome to the delegation and said that young people are the future of the world, and the baton of China-UK friendship needs to be passed on by young people. He hoped that this event could strengthen mutual understanding between Northern Ireland’s middle schools and Beijing Experimental School, promote wide-ranging and multi-tiered exchanges between schools in the two regions, and provide more platforms for youth exchanges, thus enhancing friendly exchanges between China and the UK.

On behalf of the visiting delegation, Dr. Michael Kieran Gormley, a teacher at Lumen Christi College, thanked the BPAFFC and other organizations for the warm hospitality. He introduced that Banbridge Academy, Lumen Christi College, and Ballymena Academy all offer Chinese language programs, and many students like Chinese culture. He looked forward to getting in touch with the schools in Beijing and strengthening exchanges and friendship with middle school students in the city.

At Beijing Experimental School, the delegation learned about the history of the century-old school, visited its facilities, and got a taste of traditional Beijing cuisine. They also made paper cuts with local students during a Chinese intangible cultural heritage class.

Also present at the event were Li Weihua, Executive Vice President of the Haidian District People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Shi Yue, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Haidian District People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. They were joined by attendees from the Haidian District Foreign Affairs Office and Beijing Experimental School.