Russian students from Lyceum of Irkutsk State University visit the history museum of Jinxiang No 1 Middle School in Jining, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Face-to-face exchanges between young people remain one of the most effective ways to build trust and cross-cultural understanding. Recently, students and teachers from Lyceum of Irkutsk State University (ISU), which is the affiliated secondary and middle school institution associated with ISU in Russia, visited Jinxiang No 1 Middle School in Jining's Jinxiang county, East China's Shandong province for a friendly exchange.

Chinese students teach their Russian peers how to use Chinese brushes and brushwork in a calligraphy classroom. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Russian delegation toured the school's history museum, learning about its 80-year educational tradition. They then joined Chinese students in classroom discussions on language learning, teaching methods, campus culture and aesthetic education.

One of the highlights was the immersive cultural experience. In a calligraphy classroom, Chinese students demonstrated brush techniques and guided their Russian peers to write Chinese characters. Many Russian students were picking up a writing brush for the first time. In a music class, students from both countries moved to the rhythm together, breaking down language barriers through laughter and shared activity.

Chinese and Russian students have a music class together. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The visit provided a platform for students from the two schools to connect. It also deepened mutual understanding between Chinese and Russian youth, injecting fresh vitality into people-to-people exchanges between the two regions.