To enhance students’ cultural literacy and broaden their international horizons, the School of Foreign Studies (SFS) recently invited Mr. Ke Yasha, a veteran Chinese cultural diplomat, to deliver a special lecture titled “Cultural Ties and the Art of Building Friendships.” Mr. Ke Yasha has served in various capacities, including Cultural Consul and Minister-Counselor for Cultural Affairs, at Chinese embassies and consulates in Pakistan, the Philippines, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, among other countries, and possesses extensive experience in overseas postings and international cultural exchange. The lecture attracted more than 100 faculty members and students from across the university.
Under the theme “Cultural Ties and the Art of Building Friendships”, Mr. Ke Yashan began with practical examples of Sino-Australian cultural exchange to explain the origins of Australia’s “Year of Chinese Culture” and the UK’s “Happy Chinese New Year” brand events, vividly demonstrating the diplomatic wisdom of a cultural diplomat in handling international affairs, promoting people-to-people exchanges, and disseminating Chinese culture. Drawing on a wealth of professional case studies and engaging anecdotes, Mr. Ke Yashan elaborated on the qualities a cultural diplomat should possess, as well as the vital role that cultural ties play in fostering international understanding and friendship, and in enhancing China’s cultural soft power. He encouraged Nankai students to promote people-to-people bonds through cultural resonance, to serve as cultural ambassadors facilitating mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilizations, and to transform cultural soft power into the “glue” that binds international cooperation.
The lecture was rich in content and featured vivid case studies. It not only broadened the horizons of both teachers and students regarding international cultural exchange but also provided valuable insights for cultivating young talent with a global perspective and cross-cultural communication skills. Students actively asked questions on topics such as how to address negative sentiments in international cultural exchange and how to enhance their own personal qualities. The lecture concluded successfully amid a lively atmosphere.
This lecture is part of the “Home, Nation, World” series of events for Nankai University’s 33rd Foreign Language Festival. Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the signing of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement and the 45th anniversary of the establishment of sister-city relations between Tianjin and Melbourne, this year’s Foreign Language Festival features Australia as the theme country. The festival featured a rich array of activities—including academic lectures, art salons, and roundtable discussions—centered on cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and Australia, to effectively convey the Chinese perspective to the world.
