On June 11, the "Poetic Dragon Boat Festival, Wisdom Gathers in Beijing" international postdoctoral exchange event was held at the waterfront of Liangma River in Beijing's Chaoyang District. Nearly 100 international, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and Taiwan region postdoctoral researchers and doctoral students from institutions with postdoctoral programs across Beijing participated in the event.

Pakistani postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and faculty members at the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences and Beijing University of Technology perform the Pashtun Attan Dance (traditional Pashtun folk dance of Pakistan).

The event featured a variety of activities, including speeches from international postdoctoral fellows, postdoctoral policy briefings, cultural performances, networking tea gatherings, and hands-on intangible cultural heritage workshops. Participants were also invited to take a night cruise tour along the Liangma River International Scenic Waterfront, offering a close-up experience of Beijing's urban landscape and its internationalized business environment.

French scholar Adrien Currier (left) and Pakistani scholar Saud uz Zafar (right).

Adrien Currier, a French postdoctoral researcher in mathematics at Peking University, said he was particularly impressed by the Sichuan opera face-changing performance. He also noted that the Dragon Boat Festival-themed cultural and creative products on display sparked his interest in learning more about the festival's cultural significance.

Saud uz Zafar, a Pakistani postdoctoral researcher at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, demonstrated an extensive knowledge of Dragon Boat Festival traditions. He highlighted that the festival has been inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, describing it as a cultural treasure that deserves to be shared with the world. Having studied and worked in Beijing for nearly a decade, he spoke affectionately of the city, saying that China has become his second home.

American scholar Shanon Rubin.

Speaking about the event, Shanon Rubin, an American postdoctoral researcher at the Yau Mathematical Sciences Center of Tsinghua University, said that it was a valuable opportunity to connect with more peers in his field. He also noted that his time in Beijing has enabled him to build friendships that transcend national borders.

Lovemore Zulu, a Zambian international student.

"Beijing provides an excellent environment for my academic development," said Lovemore Zulu, a Zambian Ph.D. candidate in plant protection at China Agricultural University who is about to graduate. He said that the university's advanced research facilities and vibrant social life have never made him regret choosing Beijing as a place to study. In fact, he hopes to pursue postdoctoral research in Beijing after completing his doctorate.

(Source: CRI Online)