Peking University, Jan. 21, 2017: On January 9, 2017, an opening ceremony for the spring semester Chinese-teaching program of the United States Military Academy was held at Peking University School of Chinese as a Second Language. PKU Vice Provost Li Chenjian and other professors, as well as four students from the United States Military Academy, attended the ceremony.
Zhao Yang, dean of Peking University School of Chinese as a Second Language, delivered a welcoming address. He said that the Chinese-teaching program cooperated by PKU School of Chinese as a Second Language and the United States Military Academy effectively promoted mutual communication and understanding. The program was inaugurated in 2007. Since then, the commandants of the two sides have had exchange visits for several times. And in January, 2012, some national defense students of Peking University went to the United States Military Academy as exchange students. Professor Zhao stressed that the program would provide international students with a better opportunity to learn about what China really is.
Professor Zhao delivering a speech
The Chinese-teaching program, which is also supported by Yuanpei College, allows students of the United States Military Academy to study in Peking University and live with students of Yuanpei College. Thus, these exchange students can communicate with Chinese students at any time so as to learn Chinese and experience life in China more deeply. The program will enable them to have a good time and unforgettable memories in China.
In Professor Li Chenjian’s speech, he first introduced his own stories concerning the United States Military Academy. When he was in the U.S., he visited the United States Military Academy for many times, and liked it very much. He said that the United States Military Academy has a special position in the U.S., just as Peking University makes special contributions to China. In addition, he pointed out that Yuanpei College is famous for its students’ freedom of choosing majors according to their own interests. He hoped that the students of the United States Military Academy would be impressed by Yuanpei College’s respect for student independence.
Professor Li speaking
Li Yuan, vice dean of Peking University School of Chinese as a Second Language, looked back on the history of Chinese-teaching program of the United States Military Academy. Over the past decade, altogether 61 students of the United States Military Academy had come to Peking University to study Chinese. She encouraged the students of the United States Military Academy to use Chinese more in daily life, and grasp the opportunity to practice Chinese in the communication with Chinese students. She hoped they would not waste their time in Beijing.
Then four students from the United States Military Academy introduced themselves in Chinese. They said that they would treasure the opportunity by learning Chinese hard and experiencing Chinese culture carefully. They hoped to become the communicative bridge between the two universities.
The student representative from the United States Military Academy
After the opening ceremony, all attenders took a group photo. The program will be over on May 14, and every week the students will study for 23 hours. They will have two weeks off from January 21 to February 6, which is during the Spring Festival.
Written by: XieChangli
Edited by: Wang Qian
