From May 23rd to 30th, our university successfully held the “Knowledge and Action Hebei, Mutual Learning of Civilizations, Art and Sports, Youth Energy” exchange competition of cheerleading, cultural exchange and study tour for teenagers from China and the US. The event innovatively integrated three elements: sports competition, art performance, and cultural study, providing a comprehensive and multi-level exchange platform for teenagers from both countries.

On May 26th, the 2025 China (Shijiazhuang) First Sino-US Youth Cheerleading Exchange Competition opened at our university. This event was jointly organized by our university, the Communist Youth League of Shijiazhuang City, and Hebei International Education Exchange Association. It was professionally guided by Chinese Trampoline and Skills Association and the Gymnastics, Weightlifting and Judo Sports Center of Hebei Sports Bureau. The competition lasted for two days and attracted a total of 51 teams from both the US and China to participate.

On the sports field, American teenagers demonstrated the spirit of American sports through powerful dance elements and high-level throwing and catching techniques. The Chinese team incorporated martial arts postures and opera stage steps into their choreography. The softness of the East collided with the power of the West, and the wonderful display of strength and beauty presented a youthful and vibrant sports feast to the audience. Among them, the cheerleading team from Colorado Mountain View Academy in the US won the championship of the junior group with their high-level skills and perfect coordination. The cheerleading team of the School of Teacher Education in our university won the championship of the “Group Free Dance Cheerleading Props Group”.

After the game, teachers and students of our university had an in-depth cultural exchange activity with American teenagers. The School of Teacher Education held a friendship event through dance. By showcasing passionate Mongolian dances, graceful and elegant Tibetan dances, gentle and beautiful Dai dances, and fiery Northeastern big dance, they enabled the American teenagers to experience the unique charm of China’s excellent traditional art culture. The School of Fine Arts and Design led the American teenagers to experience ceramic painting and stamping, allowing them to get close to traditional Chinese art culture techniques. Professor Wei Shengmin from the School of Physical Education demonstrated the charm of Tai Chi to the American teenagers, enabling them to personally appreciate the cultural wisdom of traditional Chinese martial arts.

During the one-week study tour, the teaching team of our university also accompanied the American youth delegation to deeply experience the rich cultural resources and modern development achievements of Shijiazhuang. At the Shijiazhuang Industrial Heritage Park, the American teenagers felt the unique charm of the “Rock City” through the collision of industrial relics and modern art; in Longquan Ancient Town and the Heritage Chamber, they personally experienced traditional intangible cultural heritage skills such as hand weaving, opera face painting, and sugar painting, getting a close touch with the meticulous inheritance of Chinese culture. At the SASSEUR (Shijiazhuang) Outlets, the delegation members carefully selected Chinese-style cultural gifts with national characteristics and experienced cutting-edge AI technology through digital interactive screens. From the precious collections of the Hebei Museum to the historical marks of Zhengding Ancient City, from the bricks and tiles of the Zhengding Ancient City Wall to the Red Mansion scene of the “Baoyu and Daiyu’s First Meeting” in Rongguo Mansion ... The American teenagers, in a series of rich and colorful cultural experience scenarios, moved through the historical corridor, touching the 5,000-year historical thread of Chinese civilization.

This event coincides with the promotional month of our university’s “Students’ Campus Culture and Art Festival”. The activity innovatively adopts the “foreign affairs + sports, culture and tourism integration” model, providing a new platform for cultural exchanges between the two countries’ teenagers. Looking to the future, our university will continue to promote the “1396” development strategy, focusing on building the distinctive brand of “Knowledge and Action Hebei, Cultural Mutual Learning+”. Through various activities such as foreign affairs, tourism, art, competitions, and intangible cultural heritage, it aims to promote the deep integration of education work with urban construction, youth growth, and cultural inheritance, and contribute educational strength to building a bridge of friendship between Chinese and American teenagers.

(Contributor: International Exchange and Cooperation Center; Writer: Yuan Huafei)