The group photo of foreign experts attending the opening ceremony of the 2023 Chinese Training Class. （PHOTO: the Guangdong Science and Technology Cooperation Center)

By YANG Yixuan & LONG Yun

The 2023 Chinese Training Class organized by the Guangdong Science and Technology Cooperation Center was inaugurated on August 21, aiming to provide a platform for foreign experts in Guangdong to enhance their Chinese proficiency and appreciate the charm of Chinese culture.

During the inauguration, participants shared their admiration for China and their interest in learning Chinese.

An Iranian expert from Guangdong Midea Company expressed his love for Chinese opera and exploring the beauty of the country. He highlighted the significance of learning Chinese, saying, "I believe improving our technical skills alone is insufficient. Only by enhancing my ability to express myself in Chinese can I better integrate into this land."

"After [completing] this training class, I hope to communicate fluently with [my] Chinese colleagues and friends. Additionally, I intend to learn Cantonese in the future," said a Japanese foreign expert from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He came to Guangzhou in 2017 and plans to work and live in the city until retirement.

"Language functions as a tool for communication, a vessel of culture, and a bridge for friendship," said the event organizer, hoping foreign experts can share their stories and experiences of Guangdong and China with their friends around the world.

The Guangdong Science and Technology Cooperation Center contributed to this article.