Reported by:
Sr1ScB Su Jac Tenn
Photography by:
The Camp Crew
To promote Chinese culture and foster international exchanges, teachers and students of Kuen Cheng High School have had the honor of participating in a winter camp in Beijing. This 9D/8N 2024 Winter Camp for Malaysian Chinese Youth, held at the Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College, organized by the Chinese Language and Culture Education Foundation of China was co-hosted by the Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College and Jinan University. This unique activity, lasting from 12 December to 20 December 2024, has been generously sponsored by Perfect (China) Co., Ltd.
(Pic 1: Team Members at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) ready to depart for the Winter Camp)
During the opening ceremony, the President of Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College made humorous remarks about his fondness for Malaysia. A flag handing ceremony is coming up next, jointly performed by the Winter Camp Lead Teacher of our school, Madam Chong Siew Fah and representatives from other organizations, signifying the winter camp officially open.
(Pic 2: Flag handing ceremony)
Participants immersed themselves in the essence of Chinese culture through meticulously arranged activities, which included hands-on experiences in Chinese calligraphy, painting, knotting, shadow puppetry, and workshops on Chinese culture. It was only by personally picking up a Chinese brush or creating Chinese knots that participants could truly appreciate the profound history and wisdom behind these art forms that represent a precious heritage of Chinese culture. The participants expressed that the curriculum was rich and diverse, and their time on campus was both fulfilling and enjoyable.
(Pic 3: Participants experiencing Chinese calligraphy)
(Pic 4: Teacher showing a Chinese painting of “Lychee” as an example for students)
(Pic 5: Participants experiencing Chinese knotting art – zhongguo jie)
(Pic 6: Participants displaying their “Emperor” shadow puppet)
Stepping out of the campus, the participants excitedly took a high-speed train to Chongli District in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, to begin their adventure. Despite the low temperatures and heavy snow, their enthusiasm was undeterred. They visited the Taizicheng ruins and museum, Genting Resort Secret Garden , and the “Snow Ruyi” (National Ski Jumping Center). With the guidance of docents, the participants learned about the history hidden beneath the snowy landscape. Notably, they had the opportunity to tour the Winter Olympic Village, where they experienced the charm of winter sports and gained insights into the culture of the Winter Olympics.
(Pic 7: Relics shown in the Taizicheng Museum)
(Pic 8: Team Members at Genting Resort Secret Garden)
(Pic 9: Team Members exploring the Winter Olympic Village)
In Beijing, a must for any educational tour is exploring the historical evolution of China. Iconic landmarks were visited, including Tiananmen Square, the Palace Museum, Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, Qianmen Street, and Zhongguancun Science Park. As they visited these places, the participants marveled at the allure of Chinese culture, particularly at the Tiananmen Square, which once accommodated a million people during its early days. At the Palace Museum, which is housed in The Forbidden City, the participants admired the ancient architecture and deeply understood the prosperity of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
(Pic 10: Winter Camp Team Members in front of the Palace Museum)
(Pic 11: Participants tasting “Beijing shabu-shabu” at Qianmen Street)
At the closing ceremony, Tan Sri Dato’ Koo Yuen Kim, Chairman of Perfect (China) Co., Ltd. and President of the Malaysia-China Cultural and Arts Association, emphasized, “We must personally experience the strengths of other countries and communicate with them to gain knowledge. This is the purpose of Perfect (China) Co., Ltd. for sponsoring this winter camp.” Lee Zilin, a student from our school, had the honor of delivering a speech on behalf of the participants. Subsequently, the organizers presented certificates of completion to the participants, recognizing their achievements and encouraging them to continue exploring Chinese culture. During the cultural performance, our students performed a dance to Malaysian folk songs “Rasa Sayang” and “A Wave Flower”. Highlights also included a “Traditional Chinese Performance Medley” involving 119 participants from across Malaysia, featuring a flute performance, Chinese folk dances, martial arts, diabolo tricks, and a 24-Festive Season Drums show. Another standout performance was “A Seed”, a narrative about the journey of Chinese education. Finally, the winter camp concluded with an inspirational song “Chinese People, Chinese Dream”, paying homage to the spirit of predecessors.
(Pic 12: Winter Camp 2024 Beijing wrapping up with a closing ceremony)
(Pic 13: “A seed” performance)
(Pic 14: “Rasa Sayang” performance)
(Pic 15: “A Wave Flower” performance)
We sincerely extend our heartfelt gratitude to Tan Sri Dato’ Koo Yuen Kim of Perfect (China) Co., Ltd. for his generous sponsorship. Through this winter camp, the participants gained a profound understanding of the richness and depth of Chinese culture, with their horizons broadened, and created unforgettable memories.
