On Nov 27, China-Japan Cultural Exchange Activity was held in Minzu University of China. Cultural lectures, national costume shows, dance and folk music performances sparkled the activity, enabling both Chinese and Japanese youths to experience the charm brought by the collision of diverse culture and gain a deeper understanding on cultural integration.

Group photo of Chinese and Japanese guests and youth representatives

Building a shared future through cultural integration and innovation

When positive interactions take place between Japanese Anime, Comic and Game (ACG) culture and traditional Chinese and Japanese culture, Japanese ACG culture naturally spreads and integrates into the Chinese society. Looking forward into the future, the youth are expected to play a more positive role when engaging in ACG culture and develop ACG culture through inclusiveness. 

Professor Mao Zhanwen, Dean of School of Journalism and Communication in Minzu University of China, delivers a speech.

In the era of new media, the patterns on the Chinese Traditional Costumes of minor ethnic groups can also be creatively used by integrating national and cultural elements into the skin design of popular games. The innovative combination of traditional cultural elements and oriental aesthetics enables more young people to feel the profoundness and unique charm of traditional national culture.

Associate Professor Xu Jin, director of visual communication design from the Academy of Fine Arts at Minzu University of China, delivers a lecture.

Displaying the beauty of culture through cultural exchange

The costume show jointly brought by the Chinese and Japanese youths was a highlight. From Chinese Traditional Costumes in Tang and Song dynasty to neo-Chinese style costumes, the Chinese youth displayed how the costumes’ features and fashions evolved through time. Against the samisen and the background of street lamps, the Japanese youth also showed Japanese Yukata culture, bringing the audience the atmosphere of Japanese Summer Festival.

Chinese youth in Chinese Traditional Costume of Tang dynasty

Chinese youth in Chinese Traditional Costume of Song dynasty

Chinese youth in neo-Chinese style costume

Japanese youth in Yukata

The Chinese and Japanese youths took photos in their traditional costumes and expressed their appreciation towards each others' costumes. "Exquisite costumes are memorable. But what impressed me most is the spirit we embodied, either graceful and elegant or decent and at ease. When I wear these traditional clothes, it seems that I have injected new vitality into our culture." He He, a student from China Foreign Affairs University said. Japanese student Nakagawa Hazuki from Gakushuin University expressed how delighted she was when she introduced Yukata culture. "It is the first time that I have been here in China. Chinese students in Chinese Traditional Costumes of different dynasties made me know more about the uniqueness and features of costumes from the two countries."

Photos of Chinese youths in Chinese Traditional Costumes and Japanese youths in Yukata

Comics served as another bridge for Chinese and Japanese youth representatives to exchage their views on trending social topics such as green development, low fertility rate, population aging and rural revitalization. With social concerns manifested in the form of art, these comics were the reflection of youth's creativity and enthusiasm, as well as their awareness for social problems in both China and Japan.

Comics jointly done by Chinese and Japanese youths on urban renewal

Comics jointly done by Chinese and Japanese youths on low fertility rate and population aging

Comics jointly done by Chinese and Japanese youths on rural revitalization

Comics jointly done by Chinese and Japanese youths on green development

Dance and folk music are always symbols of cultural confidence and the passion of youth, pushing the activity to its climax.

Art ensemble from Minzu University of China performing Mongolian dance Sawuerdeng

Art ensemble from Minzu University of China performing dance Uphill in Spring

Japanese youths performing modern dance Idol

Art ensemble from Minzu University of China performing Madame Shexiang with folk music and rock music

At the end of the activity, youth representatives wrote down the theme of "Dynamic Youth, Shared Future" in Chinese calligraphy, expressing their wonderful wishes on the future of Chinese and Japanese youths. Short as the activity was, the friendship will remain.

"Dynamic Youth，Shared Future" written by Chinese and Japanese Youths in Chinese calligraphy

Feeling the rhythm of youth through carrying forward friendship

Liu Sen from Minzu University of China, host of the activity, said that Chinese and Japanese culture intertwine with each other. No matter it is costume, dance or calligraphy, common place and uniqueness co-exist in both culture. Cultural exchange enables deeper understanding in culture and promotes cultural inheritance and development. Okuzu Shintaro from Keio University said pop culture served as the common language of international youth for closer friendships. Chinese and Japanese youth are manifesting the charm of national culture in their own way and embrace them with openness, appreciation, sincerity and enthusiasm. Zang Teng from Beijing Forestry University saw the connection between the culture of the two countries and wished that the long-lasting friendship and cultural exchange could contribute to the peace in east Asian regions and around the world.

Group photo of Chinese and Japanese guests and youth representatives

This activity is part of the International Youth Pop Culture Season series initiated by the China International Youth Exchange Center. Cultural exchange is the bond of friendship for Chinese and Japanese youths. With the youths' friendship, mutual understanding and respect, the close relation between China and Japan will be more long-lasting.