To enrich campus life and enhance students’ understanding of traditional Chinese culture and the cultures of Portuguese-speaking countries, the Student Affairs Office (SAO) of City University of Macau (CityU) recently organized a series of dormitory activities. These included the Baduanjin exercise experience workshop, where students were invited to learn ancient health wisdom from Master Shi Yanting, the founder of the Macao Shaolin Cultural Center. Additionally, students visited the Pavilion of China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform, which provided insights into the development of trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, broadening their horizons.
The Baduanjin experience workshop was held at the Student Activity Center in Taipa. During the event, Master Shi Yanting shared the legendary culture of Shaolin Temple and the philosophy of “the unity of Zen and martial arts”. He demonstrated the first four movements of Baduanjin and guided students to practice the movements.
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As a national intangible cultural heritage, Baduanjin originated from health exercises during the Northern Song Dynasty. The eight movements align with traditional Chinese medicine’s meridian theory, allowing students to stretch their bodies while experiencing the charm of traditional culture. Many participants expressed that the workshop not only allowed them to relax the body muscles and mind but also deepened their understanding and experience of traditional Chinese culture.
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As part of the dormitory activities, the visit to the Pavilion of China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform aimed to enrich students’ multicultural experiences. The event featured professional guides who provided in-depth introduction about the China-Portugal cooperation mechanism and Macao’s role as a platform for trade between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs).
Students were introduced to unique products from countries such as Portugal, Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique. During the visit, they not only learned about the rich history, current status, and future prospects of China-PSCs trade cooperation but also experienced multicultural exchanges. This deepened their understanding of Macao’s significant role as a bridge in China- PSCs economic and trade ties. Participants noted that the activity not only enhanced their understanding of China-Portugal cooperation but also inspired them to expand their international perspectives and developing intercultural communication skills in their future studies and lives.
