2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War. To commemorate this milestone, CGTN invited Gen Z students from the Chinese mainland and the Russian Federation to experience life in each other's countries and share their cultural insights.
Slava Klishauskaite, a Russian student at Peking University, tackled three Beijing must-dos in one day: savor Peking duck, wander through a hutong and enjoy spring blossoms. Each stop revealed a new layer of Beijing's heritage.
First, Peking duck: the sight of golden, crispy skin and tender meat offered Slava a delicious entrée into centuries-old culinary traditions. Next, the hutongs: winding lanes dotted with courtyard homes, modern cafes and hidden murals—spaces where past and present coexist. Finally, spring in Beijing: parks awash in azaleas and peach blossoms that symbolized renewal and cultural continuity for Slava.
Reflecting on her whirlwind tour, Slava highlighted the long history of friendship between the Russian Federation and the Chinese mainland. She hopes future cooperation will extend beyond trade, technology, energy and culture to include education, sustainability initiatives and youth exchanges. “Building mutual understanding through everyday experiences lays the foundation for deeper collaboration,” she says.
Slava's journey reminds young global citizens that true cultural exchange takes curiosity, a willingness to try new things and stories that bridge borders.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
