NCIAE was recognized as a designated “Foreign Expert Book House” institution by the Hebei Provincial Administration of Foreign Experts in September 2021, and was named an “Excellent Foreign Expert Book House” in Hebei Province in January 2023. Since its establishment, the International Cooperation and Exchange Center has organized a variety of cultural exchange activities through the Book House, broadening the horizons of faculty and students while enhancing the sense of belonging and well-being of foreign experts. These efforts have played an active role in sharing Hebei’s stories and promoting the voice of Hebei.

On the afternoon of June 4, a reading salon hosted by the International Cooperation and Exchange Center was held at the Foreign Expert Book House. The event brought together faculty and students from the Hebei University of Technology–Finland Campus and faculty and students from NCIAE’s School of Foreign Languages.

Director Yin Jing opened the event by warmly welcoming the visitors from Hebei University of Technology–Finland Campus and expressing her hope that the activity would offer them a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture. Following her brief remarks, the reading session officially began. Chinese and international students read selected materials related to Chinese culture, exploring topics such as Chinese cuisine, tea culture, traditional festivals, and famous tourist destinations. Throughout the event, participants engaged enthusiastically in Q&A and shared insights, deepening their knowledge and building meaningful friendships.

Zherebtsov Vladimir, a student from the Hebei University of Technology–Finland Campus, shared his enjoyment of the event, noting that it gave him a richer understanding of Chinese culture and daily life, and further deepened his affection for China.

Civilizations thrive through exchange, mutual learning, and shared progress. As a key component of NCIAE’s Foreign Expert Book House initiatives, this reading salon used engaging Chinese stories as a starting point to foster cultural exchange and mutual understanding. The event served as a welcoming platform for Chinese and international students to connect, further advancing the internationalization of education at NCIAE.