On the morning of May 25, 2026, the opening ceremony of the “Experience China” – The 3rd Yangtze River Delta Student Academic Symposium and Social Practice Program was held at Zhejiang University. The event was organized by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and hosted by Zhejiang University.

With the theme of “Smart Delta · Modernization Together,” the program aimed to build a high-level, interdisciplinary, and immersive platform for academic exchange and cultural mutual learning between Chinese and international students. Integrating frontier academic discussions with on-site exploration of Chinese modernization, the program served as one of the flagship events in the 2026 “Experience China” series of social practice and cultural exchange activities. More than 150 Chinese and international students, faculty advisors, and university representatives from 24 universities across the Yangtze River Delta gathered at Zhejiang University to exchange ideas on academic innovation, promote intercultural dialogue, and gain first-hand insights into China's development.

Li Yanguang, Director of the Department of International Student Affairs of the China Scholarship Council, Du Jian, First-Class Researcher of the International Cooperation and Exchange Division of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education, Xing Bo, Director of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Youth League Zhejiang Provincial Committee, and Gu Zhen, Associate Vice President of Zhejiang University, attended the opening ceremony.

In his remarks, Li Yanguang noted thatyoung people represent the future of both China and the world. He emphasized the Chinese government's strong commitment to cultivating international talent and highlighted the China Scholarship Council's continued efforts to develop the “Experience China” brand, using social practice and cultural experiences to foster mutual understanding between Chinese and international youth. He described the event as a vivid example of collaborative efforts among Yangtze River Delta universities to advance the high-quality development of international education in China. He encouraged participants to learn from one another, pursue academic excellence, deepen their understanding of China through field visits, and build consensus through intellectual exchange. Gu Zhen remarked that 2026 marks the first year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan. He noted that Zhejiang University continues to advance its Global Open Development Strategy, guided by the vision of “University-wide Internationalization,” while further strengthening the Study@ZJU brand. He encouraged Chinese and international students to enhance their academic capabilities through scholarly exchange, broaden their international perspectives through intercultural dialogue, and gain a deeper understanding of China through first-hand experience, becoming effective storytellers of China's development. MUNAZZA IJAZ, an international doctoral student at Zhejiang University and recipient of the 2024 “Experience China – Academic Star” award, delivered a speech on behalf of the student representatives. She shared how participating in previous “Experience China” activities had enriched her academic and personal growth and expressed her gratitude to the China Scholarship Council and Zhejiang University for providing such a valuable platform for Chinese and international youth.

During the opening ceremony, Zhejiang University also held the plaque presentation ceremony for the 2026 “Zhe Li Zhi Hua” National Conditions Education Program for Chinese and International Students. Developed by the university, “Zhe Li Zhi Hua” is a signature experiential education initiative designed to help Chinese and international students gain a deeper understanding of China's national conditions and witness the achievements of Chinese modernization through field-based learning. Chinese and international student representatives jointly received the university social practice flags, officially marking the launch of the 2026 “Experience China” – The 3rd Yangtze River Delta Student Academic Symposium and Social Practice Program.

The four-day program featured a series of activities, including keynote academic lectures, academic poster exhibitions, academic salons, and field visits. Through these activities, participants explored cutting-edge research, experienced China's modernization firsthand, and strengthened cross-cultural understanding. The program also highlighted the high-quality development of international education in China, encouraging Chinese and international students not only to witness and participate in Chinese modernization, but also to serve as ambassadors of intercultural exchange and practitioners of global governance, contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.