Summer Program Recap | Youths from the U.S. Visit Shenzhen to Explore the Diversity of an Innovative City

On 15 August, the delegation from 2026 China-US College Fencing Invitational & People-to-People Exchange Camp, jointly organized by Sun Yat-sen University and the Centre for Sino-Foreign Cultural Exchange under the Ministry of Education, visited Shenzhen for a series of exchange events. Young students from universities in China and the US participated in cultural exchanges at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) under the theme of ‘Future and Innovation’, and visited the Shenzhen Innox Academy, Shenzhen Robot Valley and Shenzhen Bay Cultural Plaza. Serving as the collaborating host for the event in Shenzhen, SUSTech School of Design provided a platform for exchange between Chinese and American students, engaging them to experience Shenzhen’s dynamic development from multiple perspectives, including higher education, technological innovation, industrial development and urban culture.

A Visit to SUSTech: Connecting Cultures Through Youth Exchange

The first stop of the event was the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). Coinciding with the "Freshman Orientation Camp" organized by the university's student union and residential colleges, the visiting Chinese and American students were divided into seven groups to visit the colleges' activity rooms, where they engaged in diverse cultural exchanges with SUSTech freshmen and senior student mentors. Centered on themes such as traditional Chinese culture, intangible cultural heritage crafts, music, calligraphy, tea culture, coffee, and creative gaming, the students deepened their mutual understanding through interactive experiences, collaborative creation, and sharing. In a relaxed and open atmosphere, they gained insight into each other's campus lives and cultural traditions. SUSTech’s open, innovative, and international campus environment also provided a platform for these young people from China and the U.S. to interact face-to-face and forge friendships.

Crafting intangible cultural heritage lacquer fans

Experience the creation of Water-marbled silk scarf

Scene from the ‘Wax Seal Family Letter’ Event

Representative from the Absolute Fencing Foundation speaks with freshman students

A Visit to the Shenzhen InnoX: Experiencing Shenzhen’s Approach to Tech Entrepreneurship

Subsequently, the delegation visited the Shenzhen InnoX Academy to gain firsthand insight into how the institute leverages the Greater Bay Area's unique supply chain advantages to forge an integrated pathway connecting education, talent, scientific innovation, and future industries. The delegation toured the institute’s exhibition areas—featuring startup products, sources of innovative ideas, the innovation ecosystem, entrepreneurship education systems, and supply chain integration—thereby gaining a clear understanding of how the institute bridges the gap between traditional education and industry, providing comprehensive support for "hard tech" innovation and young entrepreneurs that spans everything from initial concepts and product realization to business incubation.

Visit the startup exhibits of Shenzhen InnoX Academy

US student tries out competition devices at Shenzhen InnoX Academy

A Visit to Shenzhen Robot Valley: Exploring the Innovative Frontier of Robotics Industry

At Shenzhen Robot Valley, students gain insight into the development of Shenzhen's robotics industry through a tour of the Robotuo exhibition hall. Centered on three key themes—humanoid robots, large-scale application scenarios, and core components—the hall showcases the innovative achievements of Nanshan District's robotics industry cluster, illustrating the city's complete ecosystem that spans core technologies, the R&D of complete robot units, and industrial applications.The guided tour also introduced to the students the endeavor of Shenzhen local youth in building an international opensource community for young entrepreneurs, provoking them to envision a future of global humanmachine collaboration and coexistence, and to reflect on their own roles and contributions in such a future.

Mr. Liu Tuo, founder of Robotuo Technology, showcases the cutting-edge robotics industry to US students

Experience various innovative robots

A tour to Shenzhen Bay Cultural Plaza: Experiencing Design and Urban Cultural Life

The event concluded at the Shenzhen Bay Cultural Plaza. By exploring the exhibitions and cultural spaces, young people from China and the U.S. gained a deeper appreciation for Shenzhen’s rich and diverse urban cultural life. The students visited the permanent "Design 100" exhibition—themed around "Design, People, and Life"—as well as showcases such as "Chinese Design Narratives," "Shenzhen Contemporary Design," and "Craftsmanship in China." Amidst the distinctive architectural surroundings, they experienced the allure of culture and creativity, gaining insight into Shenzhen’s unique cultural innovation and vibrant urban lifestyle through this new window.

Visit exhibitions at Shenzhen Bay Cultural Plaza

Experience the unique architectural spaces

This trip to Shenzhen served as a bridge for youth exchange, linking university culture, technological innovation, and industrial development with the city's unique culture. Through these exchanges and experiences, young people from China and the U.S. observed and gained an understanding of Shenzhen; through face-to-face interaction, they deepened their mutual understanding and jointly explored further possibilities for the future and innovation.