On Dec 6, the China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC) held its sixth International Youth Saloon in Beijing. Nearly 30 international students visited Gongti Metaverse (GTVerse) and immersed themselves in the world of digital space.

Group photo of international students visiting GTVerse

In GTVerse, international students experienced the metaverse applications, talking to its digital avatar GLEO and kicking virtual football on digital football fields. The virtual reality (VR) glasses there enabled them to watch and feel the excitement of football matches wherever they are. During the visit, the international students found out how metaverse and other digital technologies were used in sports training and improving the experience of audience.

International students listen to introduction of the GTVerse.

Ge Qi, founder and CEO of GTVerse, answers international students' questions.

International students experience metaverse applications.

Huynh Viet Gia Huy from Vietnam said metaverse helped him realized his dream to be a football player in a virtual world. "I saw the infinite possibilities when digital technologies are applied to daily lives." Salman Shah, an international student from Pakistan, is a member of the campus football team. He described playing football through metaverse as a brand new experience and hoped to see international friendly sports matches of this form more often. "More people without professional skills can engage and we can get to know more friends from different parts of the world." Ohori Rio from Japan thought metaverse made international cultural exchange more vivid. "I cannot wait to watch matches with friends from all over the world when I know digital technologies allows audiences to interact with each other. I am fascinated by the charm of metaverse and hope to see more surprises when it is applied to other fields in China. "

Group photo of international students visiting GTVerse

The combination of metaverse and sports not only allows more people to engage in sports, but also sets up new platforms for people-to-people exchange. Taking sports as a common language and a tour through virtual world as an opportunity, the international students witnessed the breakthroughs made in technological achievements and innovation in China as well as the impact of digital technologies on global sports industries. This will further encourage people from diverse culture to cooperate and boost global exchange on science and technologies.