On November 29, Hainan University hosted the 2025 International Youth Cultural Festival at the Second Sports Ground under the theme “Hainan Island-wide Customs Closure: Charting New Horizons with HNU”. The event brought together international students from nearly 70 countries and attracted around 5,000 participants. Through food, art, and interactive cultural experiences, attendees celebrated global diversity and explored new opportunities arising from the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
Opening ceremony of the 2025 International Youth Cultural Festival. (Photo by Cheng Sitian)
The festival was officially opened by Zhang Jiyou, Executive Vice Chairman of the HNU Council, followed by remarks from the Vice President Yue Wen. After the ceremony, Zhang and Yue visited cultural booths from various countries, engaging with Chinese and international students and learning about the exhibits, modes of cultural presentation, and students’ academic and daily life experiences.
Zhang Jiyou declares the festival open. (Photo by Cheng Sitian)
The event featured performances by international students from Laos, Indonesia, and other countries, who presented lively dances and songs. Chinese students presented Hanfu fashion show and traditional music performances, highlighting the vibrancy and interplay of diverse cultural traditions. With lights, music, applause, and cheers filling the venue, young people shared friendship and enthusiasm through art.
Hanfu fashion show at the festival. (Photo by Cheng Sitian)
The cultural exhibition area included booths from 26 countries and regions. Students showcased scenic photos, culinary specialties, and cultural traditions from their home countries. British tea snacks, Lao-style fried rice noodles, Pakistani biryani, and other dishes drew large crowds, while Hainan specialties such as dregs-vinegar hotpot and Hainan noodles were equally popular. Participants enjoyed global flavors and exchanged the cultural stories behind them.
Students sampling global and local delicacies. （Photo by Zhao Xingchen）
To enhance engagement, the festival introduced a “Stamp Collection Challenge”, where participants collected stamps by completing mini-games, cultural quizzes, and hands-on activities at themed booths. The interactive format added a fun element while encouraging students to learn about different cultures and broaden their international perspectives.
Students participating in cultural hands-on activities. (Photo by Cheng Sitian)
Responding to the island-wide customs closure of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the festival also set up themed activities such as the “Free Trade Port Wish Wall”, “Policy Knowledge Quiz”, and “Letters to Hainan 2035”. These activities guided students in understanding free trade port policies and reflecting on the development opportunities brought by Hainan’s deepening reform and opening-up.
A panoramic view of the 2025 International Youth Cultural Festival at Hainan University. (Photo by the Publicity Department, HNU) .
“I used to think the island-wide independent customs closure was an abstract concept, but today’s activities made it much more tangible,” said Feng Xiaocui, a master’s student in landscape architecture (2023 Intake). Exchanges with international students made her realize how Hainan is becoming an important bridge connecting China and the world.
Dimitri Marvel Setiawan, an software engineering student from Indonesia (2024 Intake), said that the event not only gave him a chance to share his national culture but also deepened his understanding of Hainan Free Trade Port. “Hainan blends cultural heritage with forward-looking dynamism. I hope to contribute my skills to its future development,” he said.
Shahid Ullah, a doctoral student in business administration from Pakistan (2022 Intake) and a two-time participant in the festival, shared that he always feels the warmth and openness of the HNU campus. “These events help me better understand China’s commitment to opening up. I am more determined to stay in Hainan, pursue my studies, and hopefully serve as a bridge for economic and trade cooperation between Pakistan and the Hainan Free Trade Port,” he said.
Alrowaili Faisal Ali A, an master’s student in environmental economics from Saudi Arabia (2025 Intake), noted that the event was both vibrant and enriching. “I made many Chinese friends and learned about different cultures, while also sharing our own traditions. It was truly an unforgettable experience,” he said.
Govea Bastidas Genesis Daayana, an student from Ecuador majoring in Chinese language and literature (2024 Intake), observed that HNU is steadily enhancing its internationalization, with increasingly cultural exchanges among international students. “Hainan’s pleasant climate, strong growth potential as an emerging market, and alignment with my academic and career goals make it a place full of opportunities for me.” she said.
Hosting the International Youth Cultural Festival is an important initiative by Hainan University to serve national development strategies and create an internationalized educational environment. The event promoted cultural exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and international students, effectively enhancing young people’s understanding of and engagement with the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port. It also built a shared commitment among young people in “Charting New Horizons with HNU,” injecting strong momentum into cultivating a new generation with global vision and a deep sense of responsibility.
Translated by Zheng Yijin
Proofread by Wei Wenfeng
