NANJING: A colorful welcome gala hosted by the Jiangsu International Cultural Exchange Center (JICEC) gathered nearly 300 international students from 16 countries in Nanjing today, where Pakistani students added vibrancy to the evening with traditional dress and lively performances.
The event featured a mix of cultural activities, from traditional Chinese games such as touhu (an ancient arrow-throwing game) to interactive group games like drumbeat flower passing and body ring passing. Laughter and camaraderie filled the venue as students of diverse backgrounds joined in. Pakistani student Mashood Nishat, pursuing a master’s degree in business management at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, attended in traditional kameez shalwar. “It was an amazing experience to represent Pakistan,” he said. “The organizers arranged many engaging games for us, which were healthy and enjoyable.”
Another Pakistani student, Umer Mustafa, won applause for a spirited folk dance during the cultural performance segment. Other highlights included a classical Indian dance, group singing by Bangladeshi students, and music from Iran and Sri Lanka.
As an institution promoting cross-cultural exchange, JICEC has long facilitated events such as calligraphy contests, photo exhibitions, and speech competitions.
This gala extended that tradition by welcoming new students to Jiangsu while underlining how young participants, including those from Pakistan, are contributing to mutual understanding and friendship. –Agencies
