To deepen international students' understanding of Chinese traditional culture, provide a platform for international students to show themselves and their own culture, and promote the cultural exchange and integration between China and foreign countries, the ASEAN International School and School of Navigation Engineering launched a cultural exchange activity with the theme of "Chinese and foreign teachers and students share tea together" on June 16, 2023. The event was held in the tea room of the School of Navigation Engineering. Huang Gang and Yan Li, deputy deans of ASEAN International School, teacher representatives and all international students participated in the event.

Tan Dingxin, Deputy Secretary of the General Party Branch of the School of Navigation Engineering, expressed his warm welcome to the international students to study in Guangxi Transport Vocational and Technical College and to exchange with the School of Navigation Engineering. He said that the School of Navigation Engineering has always been committed to cultivating sea-related talents with an international vision, and graduates need to strengthen ties with other countries, especially ASEAN and the Belt and Road countries, in the course of shipping. With the construction of the New Western Land-Sea Corridor and the advancement of the Pinglu Canal Project, China's demand for international sea-related talents will increase. We hope that there will be more opportunities to exchange with ASEAN International School in the future, so that students can learn more about the economy and culture of ASEAN and Belt and Road countries in the exchange, and lay a good foundation for the future development of seafaring career.

During the exchange activities, Li Peishan, a teacher from the School of Navigation Engineering, introduced the long-standing tea culture in China through the origin of tea, production and brewing methods, classification, taste and efficacy, and tea drinking etiquette. Afterwards, the international students took turns to introduce their own drinks and drink culture to the Chinese teachers and students. Their fluent and confident introduction in Chinese won applause from the teachers and students. Although the drinks in different countries have their own characteristics and represent the unique cultures of different countries and nationalities, the origin and efficacy of the drinks reflect the diligence and wisdom of the local people, and appreciate the cultures of others as do to our own, with different approaches but equally satisfactory results.

The students of the Tea Art Association also showed the students the whole process from making tea to serving tea, and the tea leaves were transformed into cups of tea in the hands of the "tea masters" through steps such as scalding, soaking, and high flushing. While appreciating the tea art and tasting tea, the students engaged in lively exchanges, talking about ideals, plans, and hobbies. Both Chinese and international students said that they should live up to their youth and work hard.

Huang Gang, deputy dean of ASEAN International School, expressed sincere gratitude to the School of Navigation Engineering for its hospitality and highly affirmed the success of this event. He said that international students should not only recognize and experience Chinese culture, but also actively make their voices heard to let the Chinese people understand their own country, earnestly promote the exchange of Chinese culture and their own cultures, becoming ambassadors of friendship between China and foreign countries.