College of Internatioanl Education(CIE) opened its first Silk Road Cultural Festival on Nov. 26, 2025, combining the 2025 Wenzhou International Chinese Competition with a celebration of Belt and Road cultures. The event attracted over 1,000 international students from 76 countries, alongside faculty, business representatives, and local guests.

The opening ceremony featured performances including Peking Opera, Thai traditional dance, and a prize draw. In his remarks, WZU Vice President Wang Shun highlighted Wenzhou’s historic role in the Maritime Silk Road and expressed hope that the festival would promote cross-cultural understanding.

Following the ceremony, 20 finalists from more than 10 countries competed in the Chinese proficiency finals. Sam from Nepal and Derek from Canada won top prizes in their respective categories. “Chinese is my key to understanding China,” Derek said after his win.

A “Silk Road Cultural Expo” was also held, with interactive zones for handicrafts, calligraphy, and international cuisine. Local enterprises set up booths to discuss career opportunities with students.

The festival, organized by Wenzhou University’s International Education College with support from municipal institutions, will run through December. It includes over 70 planned activities such as traditional craft workshops, rural revitalization tours, and dragon boat experiences.

University officials said the event aims to help international students engage more deeply with local culture while strengthening Wenzhou’s ties with Belt and Road countries.