Sri Lankan youth fascinated by introduction to Chinese culture

COLOMBO — Nineteen-year-old Sri Lankan Senuda Sapumal carefully watched his Chinese teacher demonstrate how to do calligraphy, then cautiously dipped his brush in ink, and succeeded in writing two large characters representing "friendship". Around him, dozens of students of similar ages watched attentively and were eager to have a go for themselves.

Chinese Culture Meets Students of Sri Lanka, an event hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, was held on June 25 at the Sri Lanka Boys' Model School in Malabe. Under the guidance of Chinese teachers, young Sri Lankans born after 2000, who are also known as Generation Z, immersed themselves in traditional Chinese culture by practicing calligraphy, learning paper-cutting, and training in martial arts.

"I've seen kung fu movies and chopsticks in restaurants, but this is my first time to experience Chinese culture myself. It is amazing," Sapumal says, proudly holding up his calligraphy and posing for a photo to capture the moment.