About 100 Chinese and American students gathered in Beijing on Wednesday for a youth technology exchange, using virtual reality (VR) and digital platforms to explore how emerging tools can deepen cultural understanding.
Under the theme "Tech for Culture, Youth Together," the China-U.S. Youth Technological Exchange Program was co-organized by U.S.-China Youth Student Exchange Association, Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology in China, and Center for Promotion of Cultural Development of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The students visited the China Science and Technology Museum and a digital experience hall of Chinese civilization, where they engaged in a variety of immersive digital experiences for cultural exploration.
"I like China. It's really good. The culture here is really different from back home, which is something I really enjoy, the difference between the cultures," said Kayla Rankin, a student from Lincoln High School in Washington.
Another Lincoln High School Eonytus Kitiona described the experience as refreshing, urging others to come and see for themselves.
Other students were impressed by how Chinese traditions are being reimagined through VR and gaming, saying they found the experience more engaging than expected.
"Actually, I didn't really know you guys were really deep into robots and stuff like that and advanced technology, but it's really cool out here," said Lincoln High School student Kasey Williams.
"It is different from where I'm from, and stuff like that, it's just really different and really cool to see," said another student Jay'mari Byrd.
China-US youth program uses digital platforms to deepen cultural understanding
