Chinese Bridge summer camp opens at Yunnan University

A nine-day "Chinese Bridge" summer camp for 45 members of the Chinese Choir at the Burg in Germany opened at Yunnan University in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan province, on July 21.

The participants visited Kunming and Pu'er in Yunnan before traveling to Beijing. They joined Chinese students in choir rehearsals, language learning, folk culture activities, and city tours.

Duan Libo, dean of Yunnan University's School of Education, said she hoped the cultural and artistic exchanges would deepen mutual understanding and encourage the participants to become young ambassadors of China-Germany friendship.

Choir teacher Holger Viermann noted that music has the power to transcend language barriers and foster closer connections between different cultures.

Yunnan University and the choir have maintained regular exchanges. In July 2025, 80 choir members and teachers visited China. Three months later, 17 teachers and students from the High School Affiliated to Yunnan University visited Germany.

Over the past 12 years, more than 300 German teenagers have studied Chinese and learned about China through the choir. More than 50 members have received Chinese Government Scholarships to pursue studies in China.

Members of the Chinese Choir at the Burg of Germany pose for a group photo. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]