Sichuan International Studies University hosted its 2025 International Culture Festival on December 5 at the sports field on its west campus, bringing together students, faculty, diplomats, and members of the local community for a large-scale celebration of global cultures.

Liu Sifang, Party Secretary of SISU, attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks. Also present were Li Mingquan, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government; Deputy Party Secretary Gou Chaoli and Vice Presidents Lu Bo, Wang Renqiang, and Hu Anjiang of SISU.

International guests included Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Chongqing， Consul General of Hungary in Chongqing, Consul General of Italy in Chongqingg,

Consul General of Vietnam in Chongqing, and Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of Australia in Chengdu. Representatives from the consulates of Myanmar and Germany in Chongqing and Chengdu also attended the ceremony.

In his address, Liu welcomed the guests and noted that cultural diversity is a defining feature of contemporary global society. He said the festival builds on established programs—including study-abroad promotion, country-focused cultural exhibitions, and curated film screenings—while introducing new initiatives such as an AI story-creation competition, interactive events with overseas partner universities, and coordinated activities with local districts. These additions, he said, are intended to expand opportunities for cultural exchange and participation.

Liu also invited international guests to explore Chongqing’s streets, cultural landmarks, and community spaces, encouraging them to experience the city’s landscape, urban life, and everyday cultural practices firsthand.

The opening ceremony featured the presentation of international student scholarships, recognizing students for academic achievement and engagement in cross-cultural exchange. An awards ceremony for the “My Story, My Country” AI Creative Showcase followed, highlighting student projects that used artificial-intelligence tools to develop new forms of cultural storytelling. Together, the events reflected SISU’s emphasis on integrating technological innovation into international education.

Following the ceremony, the program continued with student- and faculty-led cultural performances, country-specific cultural booths, and a video exhibition showcasing selected AI creative works, films from the Chongqing Youth Film Festival, and promotional content from participating districts.

Representatives from the Chongqing Public Security Bureau Exit-Entry Administration, the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism, and delegations from Yuzhong, Shapingba, Banan, Dazu, and Wanzhou districts also participated. Nearly 10,000 attendees—including alumni, students, faculty members, and local residents—took part in the festival.

Liu Sifang, Party Secretary of Sichuan International Studies University, delivers remarks.