Malaysian and Chinese students watch a tea ceremony. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Eighteen students and teachers from the University Malaysia Sabah embarked on a 10-day journey in Nantong, Jiangsu province, on Aug 30 to explore local culture.

These Malaysian visitors, together with students from Nantong College of Science and Technology, will partake in educational sessions at the Nantong institution and engage in field trips to immerse themselves in the distinctive allure of Nantong's cultural heritage.

A Malaysian student tries making a lacquered fan. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

On the first day of their journey, they tasted Chinese tea following a tea ceremony and tried their hands at making lacquered fans.

"So beautiful!" exclaimed Mursyid, a junior college student, after seeing the pattern on his self-made lacquered fan. "The pattern is so special, and the making process is also interesting."

Mursyid said he is very interested in Chinese culture and hopes to learn more about China through this visit.

Malaysian students try Chinese food. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Tay Kai Xin, leading teacher of the Malaysian delegation, also looks forward to the trip. "China is the largest trade partner of Malaysia, and we have many Chinese tourists," Tay said.

She expects the students to master Chinese and get a better understanding of China through cultural learning and practical experience.

In 2023, the Nantong College of Science and Technology inked a cooperation agreement with the University Malaysia Sabah to promote cultural exchanges. To date, 48 teachers and students from Nantong have visited the Malaysian university.