In June 2023, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Qingdao held a short video contest titled "When Qingdao Meets Kiribati" for international students studying in Qingdao. The event covers traditional Chinese cultural experiences, video filming and production, award ceremonies and more. The aim is to use the perspective of Kiribati international students to share their insights into studying and living in Qingdao, share traditional Chinese cultural customs, and enable more Kiribati people to understand Qingdao and China. At the same time, it also showcases Kiribati's unique culture and dance to Chinese audiences, helping more Qingdao citizens understand Kiribati and continuously enhancing China-Kiribati friendship.

The event was strongly supported by the Chinese Embassy in Kiribati, the Kiribati Embassy in China and Ocean University of China. The leaders attending the event jointly presented awards to the award-winning contestants, and the students expressed their love for Qingdao through passionate and unrestrained Kiribati dance.

Through participating in the Dragon Boat Festival cultural experience activities, the international students learned about the history and customs of the Dragon Boat Festival, made Zongzi and sachets, learned the culture of Han clothing, and experienced movable type printing and hand tie dyeing. The students demonstrated a strong interest and love for traditional Chinese culture.

Qingdao and Tenenano, the largest city of Kiribati, have concluded the first pair of sister city between the two countries. It is believed that in the future, there will be more beautiful stories between Qingdao and Kiribati, and they will continue to write a new and wonderful chapter for China-Kiribati friendship.

(By Yuan Yu)