Students celebrate diversity at intl. event

Video and photos by Lin Songtao

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) campus in Longgang District buzzed with excitement Friday as colorful flags from around the world fluttered in the breeze, transforming the campus into a vibrant tapestry of cultures.

Participants explore the culinary market fair during CUHK-Shenzhen’s Spring ClubFest and International Day in Longgang on Friday. Photos by Lin Songtao

The Spring ClubFest and International Day event featured four themed market fairs with over 90 booths showcasing culinary delights from 18 countries and offering cutting-edge tech experiences. It attracted participants from more than 20 universities across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

A visitor tries her hand at baseball during the event.

At the Zimbabwean booth, Kudzai Dandadzi enthusiastically introduced Sadza, a staple food in his country, along with traditional games. The Switzerland booth offered complimentary food and drinks to visitors who could identify at least three types of cheese.

Khantugs Gantulga, a freshman from Mongolia, was thrilled to represent his country on stage during the international student show. He said he loved the event as it helped students connect with diverse cultures while understanding their values, traditions, and way of life.

Kittipat Srisiam, a freshman from Thailand, saw the event as a great opportunity to make friends from around the world.

Visitors are drawn to South Korean culinary delights at the food market fair.

Wearing a Baba Nyonya Kebaya — a traditional blouse-dress combination — Ding Yeen Yi, a senior student from Malaysia, remarked that this year’s event is bigger and livelier than last year’s.

Ding also highlighted the event’s role in fostering cultural exchange and friendship between international and local students.

"From last year's experience, many Chinese students told me they really enjoyed the International Day event because it helped them get to know international students more closely," Ding shared.

The event also included performances by student groups and popular Chinese singers.

Students showcase traditional costumes from their home countries during a fashion show at the event.

Currently, CUHK-Shenzhen has established formal partnerships with more than 150 leading universities worldwide. In autumn 2024, the university admitted 243 international undergraduate students — 13.4% of its incoming freshman class.