Students turn exhibitors at cultural fair to showcase innovation

Over 100 students from more than 50 international schools across the country will display their creative designs and works for the Hi World: Global Youth Creative Expo (Hi World) at the upcoming 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF), becoming the fair’s young exhibitors.

Making its cultural fair debut, Hi World received over 200 student submissions exploring this year's theme of Symbiosis, with 50 exceptional works chosen for exhibition.

The works fall into four categories: academic displays, documentaries, interactive websites, and physical installations.

Participating students, primarily from junior and senior grades at international high schools nationwide, will present their creative concepts to ICIF attendees May 23 to 25. They will also conduct field research at the fair and submit reflective representations.

Hi World participating students pose a group photo last year. Courtesy of Hi World

Hi World, a project by SKT Education & Beyond, serves as a cross-disciplinary platform for exploring localized issues and a global stage for creative expression.

In an interview with Shenzhen Daily, SKT Education & Beyond CEO Hou Hao explained that while past editions were school-based, this year’s integration with ICIF aims to broaden audience reach for student creations while exposing students to domestic and international cultural industry trends.

To develop projects across the four categories, students first identify topics and then conduct targeted research.

Aligning with the Symbiosis theme, submissions explore diverse topics such as human-robot interactions and Sino-foreign cultural integration.

Notable works include Falling in Love with China in 144 Hours, inspired by China’s visa-free transit policy to explore the coexistence between Chinese and foreign cultures.

Through this year’s ICIF, Hou hopes not only to provide students with valuable learning opportunities through engagement but also to explore collaborations—such as partnering with exhibitors to transform students’ creative concepts into tangible products.

The 21st ICIF will take place from May 22 to 26 at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center in Bao‘an District.