China-Africa Youth Hand in Hands to Write New Chapter of Friendship丨2026 "Belt and Road" China-Tunisia Cultural Exchange Ambassador Program Concludes Successfully

Organized by the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association, SNAEIA, the delegation with 60 delegates of teachers and students from Beijing Polytechnic University, Hainan University, and Jiangsu Food & Pharmaceutical Science College, etc.. in separate groups from January 17 to February 2  of 2026 “Belt and Road” China–Tunisia Cultural Exchange Ambassador Program was successfully completed in Tunisia. 

In Tunisia, the delegation received a warm welcome from officials of the Monastir Provincial Government, as well as leaders, faculty and students from the host institutions. Mr. Anouar CHETOUI, Chief Representative of the Tunisian National Tourist Office, recorded a special video message to extend his sincere greetings to the delegation. At Monastir City Hall, delegation members engaged in discussions with local officials on topics of shared interest, including sister‑city relations, educational cooperation and people‑to‑people exchanges, the dialogues deepened mutual understanding and strengthened the bonds of friendship between two sides.

At the University of Monastir, deans of relevant faculties introduced the university's history, academic programs, and area of strength and guided them to visit the modern facilities of faculties such as Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Dentistry and Faculty of Bioengineering. In the campus dining hall, Chinese and Tunisian students shared lunch and engaged in lively conversations about academic life in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. During their visit to the Monastir Tourism Institute, Chinese and Tunisian students made traditional desserts together, filled with laughter and joy. At International Civil Aviation Training Center, the teachers and students took part in hands-on safety training session, including evacuation drills and emergency fire response exercises.

Exploring Africa and experiencing North African; Exploring Tunisia and feeling culture, the delegation embraced its role as cultural ambassadors for China-Africa exchange. They toured the Great Mosque of Kairouan, one of the oldest and largest surviving mosques in North Africa and observed traditional methods of water drawing powered by camels. The delegation also visited the El Djem Amphitheatre, one of the best-preserved ancient Roman amphitheaters in the world inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979, and the historic district of the Old Town of Sousse, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. These visits offered firsthand insight into Tunisia’s rich historical legacy and its ongoing commitment to cultural preservation.

Engagements extended beyond campuses to local communities and enterprises. The delegation also visited an olive oil processing plant, where they gained insight into the modern production lines and traditional techniques that define this quintessentially Tunisian industry. During immersive cultural activities showcasing local folk traditions, faculty and students experienced a traditional Tunisian wedding ceremony. Accompanied by lively Arabic music and enlivened by the passionate, professional performance of a renowned local vocalist, Chinese and Tunisian youth joined hands in dance amid continuous applause, immersed themselves in the local customs and cultural allure of Tunisia.

On doing activities, participants fully embraced their roles as cultural ambassadors, reflecting the confidence and professionalism of contemporary Chinese university students. During the closing ceremony, students delivered collaborative presentations that highlighted their insights and reflections. From institutional visits to company visits, and from heritage exploration to folk custom immersion, participants broadened their international horizons and promoted cross-cultural communication capabilities through learning, investigation, symposiums, and interactive engagement.

The year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, also known as the “China–Africa Year of People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges.” The opening ceremony was held on January 8, 2026, at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa. As educational cooperation and cultural exchanges between China and Tunisia continue to deepen under the Belt and Road Initiative, the 2026 "Belt and Road" China-Tunisia Cultural Exchange Ambassador Program, stands as a meaningful contribution to the China–Africa Year of People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges. It serves as an inspiring testament to Chinese and African youth in drawing a new chapter of friendship.