On the afternoon of October 22^nd, the closing ceremony of the “4^th Lancang-Mekong College Students’ Goodwill Games & 6^th South and Southeast Asia College Students Culture and Sports Week in Kunming” co-sponsored by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Education and Kunming University of Science and Technology (KUST) concluded in the small theater in Chenggong Campus of KUST. Attendees included Thamarak La-ongnual, president of Ubonratchathani Rajabhat University (URU), Cai Jinhong and Xiang Fulou, vice chairmen of the University Council of KUST, Pan Bo, vice president of KUST, Vongpasith Chanthakhoun, vice president of the Souphanouvong University, Bounthong Sengvilaykham, vice president of the Savannakhet University, Huong Xuan Nguyen, vice president of the Hanoi University of Physical Education and Sports, Phi Thi Hong Van, vice president of the Thai Nguyen University of Economics and Business Administration, and Dang Thi Thanh Huong, vice president of the Thai Nguyen University-School of Foreign Languages.

Cai Jinhong announced the official conclusion of the “4^th Lancang-Mekong College Students’ Goodwill Games & 6^th South and Southeast Asia College Students Culture and Sports Week in Kunming.”

Jiang Fulou delivered the closing speech, expressing that 2023 marks the 10^th anniversary of the “Belt and Road” initiative. KUST’s successful hosting of this event would further facilitate mutual understanding among Chinese, South Asian, and Southeast Asian university students, laying a solid foundation for the “Belt and Road” construction in terms of public opinion. It would also make Yunnan a pivot of China’s opening-up to South Asia and Southeast Asia and facilitate its integration into and service for the “Belt and Road”. Additionally, Jiang Fulou, on behalf of KUST, cordially invited all participating teams to join in the “5^th Lancang-Mekong College Students’ Goodwill Games & 7^th South and Southeast Asia College Students Culture and Sports Week in Kunming” and KUST’s 70^th anniversary celebration in 2024.

The guests presented medals, trophies, and certificates to the winning athletes during the award ceremony. Subsequently, art performances of Chinese and international students were held.

The show kicked off with a cheerleading performance, Boiling Campus, presented by the City College of KUST. Subsequent performances included URU’s song and dance performance The Ballad of Isaan, City College of KUST’s Dai dance Shao Duoli, Thai Nguyen University-School of Foreign Languages’ dance No Face, No Name, No Number, KUST’s rap club original Luv Hurts, Souphanouvong University’s dance Lao Traditional Dance, the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering of KUST’s dance Xia, the Institute of Physical Education of KUST’s martial arts performance Chinese Martial Arts, the School of International Education of KUST’s dance New Look of Mountain Village, and street dance Young of KUST’s Street Dance Association. The performances received enthusiastic applause, showcasing the diverse cultural characteristics of each country and fostering friendship.

From October 14^th to October 22^nd, nearly 600 teachers, students, and athletes from 18 universities in 11 countries arrived in Kunming as scheduled. They participated in the competition, engaged in cultural explorative activities, and attended lectures on Yunnan’s ethnic minority as part of various cultural exchange initiatives. The participants from both domestic and international teams, using sports as a link and cultural activities as a foundation, fully embodied the sportsmanship of “friendship first, competition second.” They demonstrated active participation and a tenacious competitive spirit. Young people from all over the world, through the competition, not only forged friendships with each other but also learned from each other, deepening bonds. Together, they wrote a new chapter of unity, progress, friendship, and cooperation among Chinese, South Asian, and Southeast Asian young people.

Translated by: LI Fengdan, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Cultures

Edited by: Chen Chunli, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Cultures (English)

Source: School of International Education, Institute of Physical Education, and Committee of Communist Youth League of Kunmingligong University

       Issued by: Division of International Cooperation (English)

Edited by: KUST News Center (Chinese)