Deepening International Exchange, Building a Shared Vision for Education: A New Zealand Delegation Visits Longde School in Lixia District
In response to the strategic call for expanding educational openness outlined in the Outline for Building a Leading Education Nation (2024–2035), and to further promote international exchange and cooperation in education, Longde School in Lixia District welcomed a delegation of teachers and students from New Zealand on April 13, 2026. The visit aimed to enhance overseas educators’ understanding of Chinese education and to advance high-quality internationalization through on-site visits and immersive learning experiences.
On the day of the visit, a “Sister School” partnership agreement was signed at the Confucius Classroom, marking the official launch of collaboration between the two schools. The exchange activities that followed were both rich and engaging. The New Zealand delegation experienced the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture through a variety of hands-on activities—from arts and crafts and traditional music performances at the “Longwa Dream Workshop” on the first floor, to dough sculpture classes in the fourth-floor art studio; from music theory exchanges in the music room to Tai Chi fan practice in the gymnasium. These diverse sessions offered guests an immersive insight into the depth and richness of Chinese culture.
In the fourth-floor art studio, New Zealand students learned the art of dough modeling, starting with basic techniques such as kneading, pinching, rolling, and shaping. Using colorful dough, they created vivid animals and lifelike flowers. Teachers also introduced the history and cultural symbolism behind this traditional craft, allowing participants to appreciate the joy of handmade creation while gaining insight into Chinese folk wisdom and aesthetics.
In the music classroom, Chinese teachers demonstrated and explained elements of traditional Chinese music, including modes, rhythms, and notation systems. Both sides explored the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western music. The New Zealand students shared their knowledge of Western music theory and techniques, while Chinese students performed live on instruments such as the guzheng and erhu. The graceful melodies captivated the audience, deepening mutual understanding and highlighting the universal appeal of music.
At noon, teachers and students from both schools visited Phoenix Lake together. In the springtime setting, with shimmering waters and willow trees lining the banks, participants strolled along the lakeside—pausing to admire the scenery and share stories from their academic and daily lives. In this relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, friendships were strengthened, and the beauty of cultural exchange was experienced firsthand.
In the afternoon, both groups shared lunch in the school dining hall and took part in a dumpling-making activity, further bringing them closer through this warm and lively cultural experience. This visit was not only an exchange of cultures but also a deepening of friendship, laying a solid foundation for expanding international academic cooperation and introducing high-quality educational resources.
Looking ahead, Longde School in Lixia District will take this partnership as a new starting point, continuing to deepen practical cooperation with New Zealand schools in areas such as curriculum development, reciprocal visits, and cultural exchange, while actively building bridges for greater global connectivity in education.
