SWUFE International Alumni Newsletter M+ifl

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2025 The 2025 Spring Festival Exchange and Friendship Gathering for Foreign Consular Corps Held in Chengdu 02 Direct Flights from Chengdu to Madrid Coming Soon- 05 InvestHK Visits Sichuan to Promote International Industrial and Supply Chain Cooperation for Local Enterprises 06 Sichuan Game Companies Ride the Wave to Chart New Courses Overseas 08
6600 The 112th China Food & Drinks Fair Kicks off in Chengdu - 12

#i/SWUFE News

Signing Ceremony of Cooperation Agreement and Appointment Letter Presentation between SwuFE and PolyU Successflly Held- 14
i SWUFE Signs Agreement with China Construction Bank to Deepen Cooperation in Five Key Financial Sectors 16 The International Conference on Green Finance and ESG Successfully Held 17
2025i SWUFE Held the 2025 Foreign Affairs Work Conference 19
2025 SWUFE Study Abroad Fair 2025 Successfully Held - 21

/Life of International Students

SwUFE "Friends coming fromafar meet mysterious charming China" American Youth Cultural Echange Camp Concludes Sucessull ---- 22
2025
Highlights of Dialogue withAncient and Moder Cilization, Friendship Between Chinaand Australia-SwFE 2025"Chinese Bridge"
Program Australian Delegation - -25
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SwUFE Indonesia Alumni Association Established - 30
2024/2025 CIE Holds Opening Ceremony and Orientation for International Students in the Spring Semester of 2024/2025 32 0\* Italian and Chinese Youth Build Bridges of Friendship-"hi-Xing China" Italian Student Delegation Visits SwUFE 34

/SWUFE Alumni

2022USAMAZOBAYER USAMA ZOBAYER- Master Graduate from Research Institute of Economics and Management, Class of 2022. 37 /Call for Application 39 /SWUFE Media 40 b/Feedback and Interaction

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As spring approaches Bashu, all things are to be renewed with a fresh start. The province hosted the 2025 Spring Festival Exchange and Friendship Gathering for the Foreign Consular Corps on January 22 in Chengdu. Shi Xiaolin, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Governor of the People's Government of Sichuan Province, along with other officials, joined consuls general and consular officer representatives from 20 countries' consulates general in Chengdu and Chongqing. including those from Austria, France, Japan and Italy. They gathered to celebrate the festive season and foster friendship.

Entrusted by Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee Wang Xiaohui and on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, Shi Xiaolin welcomed the guests at the gathering, expressed appreciation to the international friends for their longstanding care, support and participation in Sichuan's modernization efforts, and extended Spring Festival greetings.

Shi Xiaolin referenced the remarks by President Xi Jinping that the steady streams of people-to-people friendship form a powerful force driving forward world peace and development and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Sichuan, the "land of abundance", has historically maintained an open and inclusive attitude, welcoming visitors from all parts of the world and connecting with people far and wide. As China expands the higher-standard opening-up policies to a greater extent globally, Sichuan is dedicated to establishing itself as a new highland in reform and opening-up and working to create an all-dimensional, multi-tiered new pattern in its opening-up initiatives, seeing a continuous expansion of its open channels, an increase of open platforms, and a consistent elevation of opening-up levels. Emerging as an important destination for international tourism, economic and trade exchanges, and investment, Sichuan is speeding up its transition from an inland area to a forefront of openness.

Shi Xiaolin stated that currently, major national strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the development of the western region in the new era, and the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle intersect and overlap in Sichuan. Foreign consular institutions in Chengdu and Chongqing are vital conduits and invaluable assets for Sichuan to broaden its openness and cooperation efforts. We will continue to pursue higherstandard opening up and, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and leaders of consular-sending countries, work together to yield additional tangible outcomes in exchanges and cooperation between Sichuan and countries around the world. It is hoped that our long. standing and newfound friends will persist in their role as bridges and connectors, promoting more robust local-level exchanges, as well as cultural and people-to-people interactions, between Sichuan and various regions within their home countries, further enriching the forms and depth of our collaborative efforts. We warmly invite international friends to experience Sichuan's wonders. They can observe giant pandas, embark on journeys through Jiuzhaigou, delve into the mysteries of Sanxingdui, enjoy the unique flavors of Sichuan cuisine, and immerse themselves in rich cultural performances. Here, they will marvel at the splendor of natural landscapes, the vibrancy of diverse cultures, and the progressive tempo of life in this "land of abundance" We look forward to sharing the expansive market opportunities in Sichuan with all, deepening collaboration across industries, technology, and talent development, among other fields, fostering mutually beneficial growth, and propelling the increasingly opening. up Sichuan into a dynamic, two-way engagement with the global community, thereby making an even greater, new contribution to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Pubu Dunzhu, Member of the Standing Committee and Head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, presided over the event. Also present were Secretary-General of the People's Government of Sichuan Province Zeng Qing, leading officials from relevant provincial departments, and persons in charge of relevant enterprises, among others.

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Sichuan Airlines will launch scheduled direct flights between Chengdu and Madrid, the capital of Spain, on April 27, 2025. The new route will operate four round-trip services per week-departing on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. For the outbound flight (flight no. 3U3803), it is scheduled to depart from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport at 01:40 and arrive at Barajas Airport at 08:50 local time, with a flight duration of 13 hours and 10 minutes. The return flight (flight no. 3U3804) is scheduled to depart from Barajas Airport at 11:05 local time and arrive at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport at 05:00 Beijing time, with a flight duration of 11 hours and 55 minutes.

The flight route, as one of the key international flight routes promoted by Chengdu this year, is expected to further enhance the connectivity and regional influence of Chengdu as an international aviation hub.

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On March 11, a symposium themed "Sichuan Outreach \mathbf { \nabla } * \mathbf { \varepsilon } Connecting the Globe" was held in Chengdu, focusing on Hong Kong's advantages in supporting Sichuan enterprises for international industrial and supply chain cooperation. Approximately 150 representatives from enterprises and institutions within the province attended the event.

At the symposium, the person in charge of Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government introduced new business opportunities in Hong Kong, covering areas such as industrial investment, regional advantages, and government services. Meanwhile, several experts shared insights on various topics, including the management of transnational supply chains and trade financing for Hong Kong and mainland enterprises, how mainland enterprises can leverage Hong Kong's tax system advantages to promote international development, and the latest talent admission scheme and optimization measures in Hong Kong. They also engaged in in-depth discussions with representatives from Sichuan enterprises attending the event. Many representatives of Sichuan enterprises expressed that through the symposium's sharing and exchange sessions, they gained a deeper understanding of Hong Kong's advantages in supporting enterprises' international industrial and supply chain cooperation, making their path toward overseas development clearer.

Hong Kong has consistently been the largest investment destination and source of foreign capital for Sichuan Province. Since the establishment of the SichuanHong Kong Cooperation Conference mechanism in 2018, nearly 200 Sichuan enterprises have rapidly expanded their global footprint by utilizing Hong Kong as a strategic gateway. Sichuan's cumulative imports and exports to Hong Kong have surpassed 240 billion yuan, and the province's direct investment in Hong Kong has accounted for over 70 percent of its total overseas investment.

Furthermore, Hong Kong's investment in Sichuan has comprised over 60 percent of the province's total foreign investment.

According to a relevant official from the Department of Commerce, the key directions for future Sichuan-Hong Kong industrial cooperation will include jointly advancing the integrated development of advanced manufacturing and modern service industries, creating new pathways for the convergence of advantageous industries and investment and trade, and establishing a new system that combines market opportunities with business strengths.

The event was jointly organized by the Department of Commerce of Sichuan Province, the InvestHK of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and the Trade Division of the Economic Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R.

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From March 12 to 13, renowned game industry service providers Xsolla and Beluga Global held separate "going global"-themed events in Chengdu. On March 20, Kchuai, a leading domestic internet platform specializing in overseas cooperation, collaborated with multiple organizations to host a "going global" salon in Chengdu. On March 27, Beluga Global, Tencent Cloud, and several other organizations jointly hosted a conference focused on the international expansion of games and micro-dramas. More events took place.

Recently, there hads been a wave of positive developments that highlighted the Sichuan game industry's growing momentum in global expansion. In February, the domestic game "Code Name: Daybreak", a collaborative project between the Game Innovation and Development Center of Sichuan and Sichuan Digital Publishing Media Co., Ltd., ranked among the top sellers on the internationally renowned game platform Steam. The Chengdu-based mini-game giant Uni-Star Interactive recently submitted a listing application to The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, aiming to go public.

Game industry professionals rooted in Sichuan are venturing abroad to explore new markets, carrying the rich cultural heritage of Sichuan, actively seeking growth opportunities, and charting new courses for the digital cultural industry.

Games Going Global Continue to Show Strong Growth in Scale

Data shows that the scale of Chinese games going global has been maintaining a relatively high growth rate. The 2024 China Game Going Abroad Research Report, released by the Game Publishing Committee of the China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association, reveals that the actual sales revenue of Chinese self-developed games in overseas markets reached 18.557 billion U.S. dollars last year, marking a year-on-year increase of 13.39 percent. As the main hub of the digital creative industry in the province, the Chengdu area of China (Sichuan) Pilot Free Trade Zone saw a 56 percent year-on-year increase in the number of new game enterprises last year, ranking second in the national growth rate, and the area leads the country in the proportion of research and development (R&D) investment. Notably, several of China's top 30 game companies focused on global expansion have established a presence in the area.

In late February, Chen Liju, an official responsible for Creative Industries Trade and Investment at the UK Department for Business and Trade, visited Chengdu to promote collaboration, extending an olive branch by offering multiple policy support for the game industry. He said, "Chinese games are highly popular in the UK, which is a key reason why we came to Chengdu, a major gaming hub, to promote the UK game market."

As the trend of expanding into international markets continues, new challenges are emerging. "Players continue to engage in gaming, but their game sessions have become more fragmented and faster-paced," noted Li Hongxian, who leads the game business for the eastern coastal and central-western regions at Google's vendor operation department. Over the past two years, the cumulative time global mobile game users spend launching games has remained relatively stable, yet the average length of each gaming session has shortened by 13 percent, Li further elaborated. As a result, the competition among game developers for user time will escalate.

In order to thrive in this increasingly competitive landscape, the intrinsic quality of the games themselves becomes the cornerstone. Xia Siyuan, the Chief Technology Officer of Chengdu Leenzee Technology, the development team behind the new action game "Wuchang: Fallen Feathers", believes that the explosive popularity of "Black Myth: Wukong" has showcased that domestic games have made significant strides in the narrative, gameplay and technical capabilities, allowing them to compete on the global stage.

Companies Ramp up Expansion in Southeast Asian and North American Markets

Seeking R&D, distribution, and translation services, among other needs, professionals with backpacks and coffee cups in hand engaged in efficient, concise communication at the venue where Xsolla hosted its global expansion event. After a conversation, they added each other as WeChat contacts and then proceeded to seek out new potential partners. This brisk pace of communication persisted in a continuous cycle until the event came to a close.

Moving through the venue, Li Minghao, a member of the Hansi team specializing in language and voice services for global expansion, has already identified numerous game clients seeking to enter international markets. "The majority of game companies' language translation needs are concentrated in Southeast Asia and North America," said Li Minghao.

Persons in charge from several Sichuan game companies noted that players in the mature North American market exhibit a high willingness to pay, while Southeast Asian developing countries, as emerging markets, boast large populations and are seeing a steady increase in consumer spending power. Established domestic game companies have unanimously recognized that, to unlock new growth opportunities, they should enhance their presence in the mature North American market and the emerging Southeast Asian market while expanding globally through differentiated strategies. "Three strategy games are lined up for sequential release in the North American market this year, with plans for subsequent promotion and operation in the Southeast Asian market," said Zhang Jiaquan, Deputy General Manager of Chengdu iFUN Technology Co., Ltd. Given the North American market's significant number of high-networth players, the company expected that through innovative gameplay and prudent management, they could establish a strong reputation in this market, Zhang said.

Chengdu Uminton Interactive Technology Co., Ltd., a company specializing in sports games, recently conducted a pilot launch in the Southeast Asian market, achieving highly favorable results. Wang Jian, Chairman and General Manager of the company, remarked, "The Southeast Asian market has added over 60 percent to our income, building upon the revenue generated in the domestic market."

Venturing into "Uncharted Waters", Talent is the "Ballast Stone"

"We are putting in our full efforts to create the next benchmark product," said Tian Haibo, founder of Chengdu Ebgame Information Technology Co., Ltd. Following the success of its game "Mortise &Tenon", the upcoming release, "Codename: Twenty-Four Solar Terms", is met with even higher anticipations.

This game, themed around traditional Chinese solar term culture, is expected to launch by the end of May. "We aim to integrate Sichuan's cultural and tourism attractions into the game. When presenting it to overseas players, we strive to cater to the aesthetic preferences of players from different regions while also retaining our core elements, hoping to bring a deeper emotional connection with users."

Focusing on building emotional connections with international players marks a shift in the strategy for global expansion. Wang Jian believes that going global has entered "uncharted waters", and at this stage, deeper cultural integration and market adaptation are essential. "There is no one-size-fits-all navigation chart for games going global; it's more about implementing refined operations that are tailored to the characteristics of specific markets, one by one," Wang said. "The linchpin is the overseas operation talents who possess a deep understanding of local culture, player preferences, and market nuances. Currently, such talents are in relatively short supply."

"Talent serves as a 'ballast stone," Tian Haibo emphasized. "The game industry is talent-intensive, making it crucial to establish an effective talent attraction

mechanism."

The game "Museum No. 9" has been available in overseas markets for just over a month. Its developer, Chengdu Yaoyi Technology Co., Ltd., a compact team, also mentioned its need for talent. The company's head, Yao Yuchen, stated, "Currently, we have released English, French and German versions, but some mainstream market languages are still not covered. We hope to find more translators suited for small game development teams to assist us."

To support the further global expansion of "Sichuanmade" games, the Game Innovation and Development Center of Sichuan will launch the Sichuan High-Quality Game Incubation, Publication, and Distribution Support Program this year, aiming to actively build a high-quality game library for the province and amplify the global influence of Sichuan's premium games. A relevant person in charge of the center explained that a special fund for Sichuan game companies' international expansion will be launched this year to provide financial support for qualifying enterprises. Additionally, the center plans to establish a talent pool for Sichuan game companies' overseas development, delivering outstanding international talent to these companies.

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On March 25, the 112th China Food & Drinks Fair (hereinafter referred to as the CFDF) kicked off in Chengdu.

This year's CFDF is being held concurrently at two major venues: Western China International Expo City and Chengdu Century City New International Convention and Exhibition Center. With an exhibition area of 325,000 square meters, the event has drawn over 6,600 exhibitors. The event introduces several debut special zones this year. Notably, the inaugural Artificial Intelligence Equipment Zone gathers leading tech companies to demonstrate the latest global Al technologies and their applications in the food sector. Another highlight is the newly established Health Food and Technology Services Zone, which is dedicated to showcasing low Glycemic Index (GI) foods, clinical nutritional foods, medicinal diet foods, and technology services.

In addition to the exhibitions, the event also features seminars and competitions focused on industry development. This year's CFDF will host over 50 professional conferences and forums.

The CFDF has established itself as a premier event in the domestic food industry while also serving as a vital platform for international exchange and cooperation within the sector. This year's CFDF has attracted numerous international exhibitors and visitors. Nearly 2,000 global brands from over 50 countries and regions showcase their products across the 60,o00-square-meter international exhibition area.

It is worth mentioning that Chengdu pioneered an innovative upgrade last year by transforming the "fair" into a "festival". This innovative measure has significantly amplified the CFDF's influence and enhanced its economic driving effect, directly generating an increase in service industry revenue of over ten billion yuan. This year, Chengdu has further upgraded the "fair" to a "season"- prolonging the schedule, multiplying activity formats, and expanding the activity venues. Through this ambitious transformation, Chengdu comprehensively improves the participant engagement and experience of the CFDF, being committed to building a larger-scale and more influential urban festival brand.

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On January 9, the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SwUFE) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) held a cooperation agreement signing ceremony and appointment letter presentation at the Liulin Campus. Shi Danli, Associate Vice President of PolyU, and Li Zhisheng, Vice President of SwuFE, attended and delivered speeches.

During the ceremony, Li Zhisheng and Shi Danli signed a memorandum of cooperation on behalf of both universities.

Li Zhisheng also presented Shi Danli with the appointment letter as Guanghua Visiting Scholar and Lecture Professor, as well as Honorary Director of the SWUFE-PolyU Center for Youth Development and Family Research. Liang Ting, Director of the Organization Department, awarded Professor Peng Huamin the appointment as Director of the same center.

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On February 14, a signing ceremony for the deepened cooperation agreement in five major financial fields between Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SwuFE) and China Construction Bank (CCB) was held at the Guanghua Campus.

In the presence of both parties, Zou Zhishi, Party Secretary and President of cCB Sichuan Branch, and Li Yongqiang, President of swuFE, signed the cooperation agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. According to the agreement, both sides will focus on deepening and solidifying cooperation in five major areas: technology finance, green finance, inclusive finance, pension finance, and digital finance, and establish a longterm and stable strategic partnership.

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On March 8, the 2025 International Conference on Green Finance and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) was successfully held at the Liulin Campus of the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE). The conference was hosted by SwUFE, with academic support from internationally renowned finance journals, including the International Review of Finance, The Review of Finance, and the Journal of Empirical Finance.

Scholars from prestigious universities and research institutions, including Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Fudan University, Xiamen University, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Ohio State University, Macquarie University, and the University at Buffalo, gathered to discuss the latest research and trends in green finance and ESG. The event aimed to foster the deep integration of green finance and sustainable development, contributing to high-quality global economic growth.

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On March 17, the SWUFE's 2025 Foreign Affairs Work Conference was held in Conference Room 109 of Hongyuan Building. Li Zhisheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President, heads of foreign affairs from relevant functional departments and schools (research institutes), and foreign affairs officers attended the meeting.

In his speech, Li Zhisheng pointed out that the 14th Party Congress of SwuFE put forward the strategic vision of "building strong international influence." He emphasized that relevant functional departments, including the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation, and each school (research institute) should align with the University's overall arrangements for opening up education, focus on core tasks, adhere to goal-oriented approaches, and target the key milestone of 2025. This will ensure synchronized progress in foreign affairs with the "New Finance and Economics" initiative, the "Double First-Class" development, and the Centennial Celebration.

He stressed the need to address shortcomings, enhance the quality of openness, improve management precision, and strengthen the integration of internal and external international resources. Efforts should also focus on optimizing resource efficiency, improving the planning and quality of international exchange programs, building a globally competitive faculty, and elevating SwuFE's educational openness.

Additionally, he called for strengthening swuFE's brand by aligning with national strategies, integrating major national needs with global academic discourse, and defining the strategic value in the contemporary context. Lastly, he emphasized adhering to bottom-line principles, reinforcing ideological and political security, and ensuring the safety and stability of foreign-related affairs.

Wang Dieting, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation, summarized the foreign affairs work in 2024 and outlined key tasks for 2025. Heads of foreign affairs from various schools (research institutes) exchanged views on their internationalization plans, unique features, and challenges based on their respective situations.

After the meeting, Professor Yang Jin, former Ambassador-level Representative of China to UNEsCO, delivered a lecture titled "International Organizations in Global Governance and the International Competence of Contemporary Youth" in Conference Room 101 of Hongyuan Building. Drawing on his profound academic expertise and extensive experience in international affairs, he analyzed the pivotal role of international organizations in global governance and the competency requirements for international talent. His insights provided valuable guidance for SwuFE in enhancing students' global capabilities.

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On March 18, the SwUFE Study Abroad Fair 2025 was successfully held at Jimin Square.

This year's fair featured both exhibition booths and information sessions.A total of 47 booths showcased over

200 exchange programs, while 17 information sessions were conducted. Alongside 20 on-campus units, 27 partner universities from 12 countries and regions participated, including 10 QS Top 200 universities and 11 institutions with EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA triple accreditation.

The event attracted a large number of students, with booth representatives providing personalized, face-to-face consultations on government-sponsored programs, exchange programs, short-term study tours, dual-degree programs, and master's programs. Meanwhile, specialized information sessions at Yide Building introduced key overseas programs, covering university profiles, academic strengths, admission requirements, application processes, and important considerations.

To engage students further, the fair also featured interactive activities such as the "Offer Wish Wall" and "Sticker Collection Challenge", making the event both informative and fun.

Since its launch in 2014, the SwUFE Study Abroad Fair has been successfully held eight times. By integrating highquality global education resources, it has become the most comprehensive platform on campus for international exchange opportunities, providing students with wellorganized program resources and professional guidance.

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Friends have come from afar! On January 1, 2025, the "Friends coming from afar meet mysterious charming China" American youth cultural exchange camp, hosted by Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE), arrived in Chengdu to begin a four-day cultural exchange program.

The opening ceremony was held on January 1 at SWUFE's Guanghua Campus. Participants then engaged in their first cultural immersion class, where they painted "Gun Gun" (the Chinese nickname for giant pandas) and learned to play the traditional Chinese hulusi (gourd flute), experiencing the unique charm of Chinese calligraphy,

painting, and music.

On January 2, the camp visited the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to observe the beloved pandas up close. In the afternoon, they explored the Du Fu Thatched Cottage and Kuanzhai Alley, immersing themselves in Tang Dynasty poetry and Chengdu's historical culture.

January 3 featured a visit to Chongqing Experimental Middle School in Chongzhou City, where American students interacted with their Chinese peers through joint performances and gift exchanges, forging lasting friendships. Later, participants traveled to Daoming Bamboo Weaving Village to craft bamboo artworks, gaining hands-on experience with China's intangible cultural heritage.

The final day, January 4, included a cultural lecture on

Chengdu's classical poetry and ancient Shu history at Guanghua Campus, followed by a tour of the Jinsha Site Museum to explore the mysteries of the 3,000-year-old Shu civilization.

Over four days, the American students delved into the distinctive culture of Sichuan, deepened their understanding of China, and built cross-cultural connections. As the College of International Education's first U.S. short-term program under China's "5-Year 50,000 Initiative" and the first overseas delegation of 2025, the camp exemplified SwUFE's commitment to fostering youth exchanges. Moving forward, the university will continue to serve as a bridge for international cultural dialogue, sharing China's stories and showcasing its authentic, multidimensional, and comprehensive cultural heritage to the world.

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From January 7 to January 19, the "Dialogue with Ancient and Modern Civilization, Friendship Between China and Australia" - SwUFE 2025 "Chinese Bridge" Program Australian Delegation, hosted by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and organized by the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SwuFE), was successfully held. The delegation, consisting of 32 students and teachers from Western Australia, Canberra, and the Northern Territory, embarked on an immersive journey of Chinese language learning and cultural exploration in Chengdu and Beijing.

The opening ceremony took place on the morning of January 7 at SwUFE's Guanghua Campus. Xiao Hongchao, Vice Dean of the College of International Education (CiE) at SWUFE, along with project staff, international student volunteers, and the delegation, attended the event. Xiao Hongchao warmly welcomed the Australian delegation and introduced SwuFE's history, achievements in its "Double First-Class" initiative, and the rapid development of international Chinese language education. He expressed hope that the "Chinese Bridge" program would serve as a platform for language exchange, cultural mutual learning, and heartfelt communication, enabling the delegation to gain a deeper understanding of China and contribute to enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Australia.

The delegation's first cultural lesson, "Unveiling the Mysteries of Ancient Shu, delved into the secrets of the Jinsha and Sanxingdui civilizations. In the afternoon, students explored Chengdu's poetic charm through recitations of classical Chinese poetry and participated in traditional activities such ash (a form of martial arts) and (lacquer fan) making, gaining hands-on experience with intangible cultural heritage.

Over the following days, the delegation immersed themselves in a variety of cultural experiences. On January 8, they learned to play the traditional Chinese instrument hulusi and painted giant pandas using ink brushes. A visit to the Jinsha Site Museum further deepened their understanding of ancient Shu culture. On January 9, the group explored the Sichuan Cuisine Museum, where they made panda-shaped dumplings and Kung Pao chicken, savoring the fruits of their labor alongside other Sichuan delicacies. They also strolled through Jinli Ancient Street, experiencing Chengdu's leisurely lifestyle.

On January 10, the delegation attended engaging cultural lectures on Chengdu's street names and urban transformations, followed by a visit to the Chengdu Shu Brocade and Embroidery Museum, where they crafted sachets and admired the artistry of Shu brocade. January 11 featured a trip to Panda Valley, where students observed giant and red pandas in their natural habitat, and a visit to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a UNEsco World Heritage site, to learn about its ancient engineering marvels.

On January 12, the delegation explored the ChinaEurope Railway Network through interactive activities and visited Du Fu's Thatched Cottage and Kuanzhai Alley, experiencing Chengdu's rich historical and cultural heritage. Before departing Chengdu, the students penned their reflections on the city in both Chinese and English, expressing gratitude to SwUFE for the enriching experience.

On January 13, the delegation traveled to Beijing by high-speed rail, experiencing China's advanced rail technology firsthand. From January 14 to 19, they explored Beijing's historical and modern landmarks, including the Palace Museum, the Temple of Heaven, Shichahai, the Great Wall, the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, and the Grand Canal Museum. During their visit to the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, the delegation showcased their learning achievements, performing a Chinese poetry drama and singing the classic song Jasmine Flower, while expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to study in China.

This program was organized in line with the spirit of the June 2024 China-Australia Joint Statement on Enhancing Educational Exchanges, aiming to promote youth interaction through Chinese language learning and deepen mutual understanding between the two nations. The 32-member delegation, representing 13 Australian educational institutions, participated in a two-week program combining language courses, cultural activities, and exchanges with Chinese peers. CIE tailored the program to include traditional cultural experiences, contemporary cultural lectures, and field visits, offering a comprehensive view of China's rich heritage and modern development.

Participants expressed their deepened appreciation for Chinese language and culture, vowing to share their unforgettable experiences with friends and family back home. Many expressed a desire to return to China for further study, aspiring to become ambassadors of SinoAustralian friendship. This program highlighted the unique role of the "Chinese Bridge" initiative in fostering international cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

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On January 19, the founding ceremony of the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SwuFE) Alumni Association in Indonesia was held in Jakarta. Wang Siping, the Cultural Counselor of the Chinese

Embassy in Indonesia, attended the event and delivered a speech.

The ceremony officially began with the national anthems of China and Indonesia. Ma Yongqiang, Vice President of swuFE, sent a video message to greet the Indonesian alumni and congratulated them on the establishment of the alumni association.

In his speech, Wang Siping highly praised the significance of the establishment of the alumni association. He expressed hope that the association would lead other Chinese universities in building alumni exchange platforms between China and Indonesia, playing an active role in promoting cultural exchange and strengthening the friendship between the two nations.

Following the speech, the approval of the alumni association's establishment and the list of the first secretariat members were announced. The unveiling ceremony, appointment letters presentation, and giftgiving ceremony followed. Lin Ailian, the first SecretaryGeneral of the secretariat, and Lin Wanting, the Deputy Secretary-General, both delivered speeches.

The Indonesian Alumni Association is the seventh alumni association established by SwuFE overseas. Its establishment will further unite the alumni in Indonesia and carry forward SwuFE's spirit of "To persistently strive for the benefit of people and society" In the future, the association will focus on enhancing cooperation and exchange among alumni, supporting the development of the university, and fostering friendly exchanges between China and Indonesia in education, economics, culture, and other fields to create a brighter future together.

2024/2025# CIE Holds Opening Ceremony and Orientation for International Students in the Spring Semester of 2024/2025

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On the morning of February 28, the opening ceremony for international students at the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SwUFE) for the spring semester of 2024/2025 was held at the Guanghua Campus. The event was attended by relevant faculty members from the College of International Education (CIE) and all freshmen.

At the ceremony, Wang Xin, Dean of CIE, extended a warm welcome to the new students. He provided an overview of SwuFE's recent developments and its unique educational features. Wang encouraged the students to integrate into campus life as soon as possible, adhere to school rules and regulations, and strive to learn Chinese. He also urged them to step outside the campus, experience local customs and traditions across China, and actively participate in cultural exchanges. He emphasized, it would contribute to fostering mutual understanding and learning between Chinese and foreign cultures. As SwUFE approaches its centennial celebration, Wang invited the new students to pursue their dreams at SwUFE and join in celebrating this historic milestone together.

Nicholas Paul Daniels, a current student from the United States, shared his vibrant academic and life experiences at SwuFE. He expressed his deep affection for China and Chengdu, encouraging his fellow students to engage in various on- and off-campus activities while focusing on their studies. He described these activities as a chance into understanding Chinese society and culture. Nicholas mentioned that firsthand experiences of China's cultural diversity would enrich their academic journeys and become invaluable treasures in their lives.

Additionally, CIE invited officers from the Qingyang

Branch of the Chengdu Public Security Bureau to deliver an engaging and informative "first class of the semester." The officers reminded students to understand, abide by, and respect the law, while strengthening their legal awareness and self-protection skills. They provided detailed explanations on topics such as entry-exit certificate management, relevant laws and regulations, telecommunications fraud prevention, and traffic safety.

Following this, faculty members from CIE offered detailed guidance on Chinese language courses, campus life services, school rules and regulations, accommodation management, and attendance requirements. This orientation aimed to help new students adapt quickly to their new learning environment and daily routines.

The orientation work for international students in the spring semester of 2024/2025 has been successfully completed. It has laid a solid foundation for the study and life of new students at swuFE, helping international students start a new chapter in their study abroad journey.

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To implement the initiative of "Double the scale of European youth exchanges to China in the next three years" and deepen China-Europe people-to-people exchanges, the "Zhi-Xing China" Italian University #.

Student Delegation to China (under the Young Envoys Scholarship, YES program), composed of students from multiple Italian universities, visited the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SwUFE). Through academic exchanges and cultural activities, the delegation gained insights into China's new economic development, experienced the university's vibrant academic atmosphere, and jointly painted a new chapter of friendly cooperation between Chinese and Italian youth.

Li Han, Dean of the School of Business Administration at SwuFE, delivered a keynote lecture titled "Understanding China's New Economic Paradigm" for the Italian students. With accessible explanations, he introduced the development process of China's economic transformation and growth as well as social changes. Through intuitive data analysis and economic comparisons between China and Italy as well as China and Europe, he vividly demonstrated the vigorous development of China's economy and interpreted the core drivers of China's high-quality economic development.

Subsequently, guided by SwUFE students, the delegation visited the university's FinTech Laboratory, where they experienced the application of digital technology in financial education and research. They personally operated intelligent platforms to solve academic problems, and Chinese and foreign students engaged in lively discussions on how Al technology empowers personalized learning.

In the afternoon, Chinese and Italian students formed teams to participate in fun sports activities together. Team Harmony Drum, Collaborative Tower Building, Fun Relay... Through teamwork, the students enhanced mutual understanding and experienced cultural integration in a warm atmosphere.

This visit by the "Zhi-Xing China" Italian University Student Delegation is an important initiative by SwUFE to implement the "European Youth Exchange Doubling" proposal and advance the "Young Envoys Exchange and Learning Program." swuFE will continue to build international platforms, deeply expand its global education cooperation network, actively promote China-Europe youth exchanges, and contribute SwUFE's strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

2022?Zix5#ykUSAMA ZOBAYER USAMA ZOBAYER- Master Graduate from Research Institute of Economics and Management, Class of 2022

I am Usama Zobayer from Bangladesh, and swuFE has been my university not once, but twice! I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Finance from swuFE in 2017. Back then, I was overcome with sadness at the thought of leaving my beloved university and cit just as the metro lines were beginning to operate around our campus. I heard there was even a line connecting to the airport! Oh, what a pity! I truly left a piece of my heart behind in Chengdu.

After returning home to Dhaka, Bangladesh, I found that many people didn't value my decision to study in China. They expressed concerns about my prospects, suggesting that I should have pursued my education in a North American country instead. It's already difficult for a young graduate, who feels the weight of the world on their shoulders, to "prove" themselves during the job application process. But perhaps thanks to the high standard of education I received at SwuFE, I was able to hold my head high during that period.

I also remembered, Professor Yan Dong, telling us during one of her lectures that she had never applied for a job-she was always scouted. That was such a flex! It was so cool! The whole class gasped when she said that. I was in awe of her. I told myself, "Okay, you may not be as cool as Professor Yan Dong, but try to make her proud if you can."

As luck would have it, I started receiving calls for interviews very soon after I applied. I may not have been scouted like my professor, but I can honestly say I've never been rejected after an interview-each time, I received an offer. I realize this is a small flex too! As a SwuFE alumni, I hope my story can encourage my juniors. Maybe studying in China wasn't a popular choice back then, but in the end, employers valued my degree and experience, and they were excited to have me join their company.

I was fortunate enough to land my dream job at bKash, as a Product Manager in the R&D department. bKash is the pioneering mobile finance app in Bangladesh, as well as a sister concern of Alipay from China. During my time there, I had the privilege of working with some of the brightest minds in the country. We worked tirelessly to build and launchthe customer app that now serves over 60 million registered users- practically one or more members from every family in Bangladesh. As a young product team, we collaborated closely with project managers from Alipay in Hangzhou, design teams from Apple in San Francisco, and we trained with product managers from Google in California. I could see the impact of my every contribution, from brainstorming sessions to writing product requirements, assigning tasks to engineers, and working with finance, legal, marketing, and commercial teams to launch our feature products. I felt incredibly lucky to have had that coveted position. My experience using mobile finance apps in China, which was clearly ahead of the rest of the world in mobile payment technology, made my resume standout to my employer from other candidates.

In 2023, I returned to SwUFE to pursue my master's degree. SwUFE remains as beautiful and lively as ever, with a very supportive administration and faculty to make our time on campus as smooth and rewarding as possible. I was honored to receive the Merit Scholarship from our college for my academic performance, as well as the Belt and Road Scholarship, which helped cover my tuition. This time around, I was hoping to find employment opportunities within China after graduation. Thanks to my experience speaking with recruiters at SwuFE's job fairs, I was able to set realistic goals for myself. I took my work experience and my degree from SwUFE into account to differentiate myself on my resume. Once again, I was fortunate to receive two offers from the only two interviews I had in China.

Currently, I'm working as a Project Manager at a company that produces precision parts for the EV (electric vehicle) and new energy industries. Our clients include BMW, Mercedes, and BYD, among others. I feel grateful to once again be close to my beloved city, Chengdu. My experience here has been incredibly fulfilling, working alongside hardworking teammates and clients from all over the world. It was a tough decision to leave a coveted job back home to pursue higher education, but as I sit in my beautiful loft in Chongzhou, with a view of Xiling Mountain outside my window, I'm so glad I took the step to return to SwUFE and embrace this next part of my journey.

Located in Chengdu, China!

Language Courses & Cultural Activities
From 0-basis to HSK 6 level
March or September Intake

Scan the QR Code for Application!

Tel:(+86)2887355437 Email: international@swufe.edu.cn

Call for applications

2025 swUFE International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship welcomes your application! #studyabroad#studyinchina#2025intake#Scholarship#Chengdu#Sichuan#university #International#study#Chinese#Chineselanguag

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i: From the Editors:

i We would like to thank you for your companionship.

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We sincerely hope that the "swuFE International Alumni Newsletter" would send the ongoing events of Chengdu and swuFE to our international alumni, so that everyone might have the chance to understand China in depth and share the development milestones and joy of success of Chengdu and swuFE. Furthermore, we also look forward to more frequent interactions and connections between alumni and swUFE, as well as among alumni yourselves. We expect our alumni to contribute to the advancement of SwuFE, and to assist and applaud each other for your personal achievements!

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If you have any opinions or suggestions on the content, editing, designing and other aspects of the journal, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please understand that your every help will enable us to better serve the international alumni. At the same time, we welcome all of you to share your experience and stories with us and provide useful information including academic or career opportunities to the alumni. Let's work together to make a better alumni journal!

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Chief Editor: WANG Xin
Editor: MA Nan, XIAO Hongchao
Content Collection: MA Nan
Proofreading: XIAO Jun, LIU Jing, ZHUANG Dian
Content Source: Sichuan Provincial People's Government official website,
Chengdu Government official website, Go Chengdu website, HomeinChengdu
Wechat account,Southwestern University of Finance and Economics Official website, etc.