On July 9, 2025, the Chinese Culture and Global Communication (CCGC) program, under the Department of Development Communication (DCom), officially partnered with Zhongshan Bo'ai Primary School. Together, they engaged in in-depth discussions to explore innovative teaching models and held a ceremony to unveil the “CCGC Program Practice Base.” This initiative seamlessly integrates university academic resources with those of primary education, marking the beginning of a deeper collaboration in cultural preservation. It also establishes a new platform for the joint development of higher education and foundational education. 

The ceremony was graced by the presence of several distinguished guests, including Dean HON Tze-ki from the FHSS at BNBU; Principal ZHANG Wei of Zhongshan Bo'ai Primary School; Dr. CHEN Jianning and Dr. WONG Kar Bo from BNBU; Vice Principal CHEN Yanxiong, Teaching Director HUANG Jianyi, Deputy Teaching Director OU Yi, Moral Education Director PANG Huali, and Logistics Director ZHANG Qian from Bo'ai Primary School. Also in attendance were Ms. WU Karen from BNBU, GU Biyi, a trainee teacher from Zhongshan Wonderful Childhood Kindergarten, and YE Jingtian, a student from the CCGC Program. Together, they witnessed the birth of a significant new milestone in educational collaboration.

Group photo at the unveiling ceremony

At the seminar, Professor Hon, Dr. Chen, and Dr. Wong shared groundbreaking academic insights on Chinese culture and global communication. Principal Zhang highlighted Bo'ai Primary School's innovative approaches to education, including traditional culture preservation, foreign language instruction, natural science exploration, physical education, and aesthetic development, showcasing the dynamic ecosystem of foundational education. Centered on the philosophy of "higher education supporting basic education," both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on how university-driven academic expertise and technological innovation can enhance basic education. Together, they reached multiple agreements on a collaborative blueprint for teaching innovation. Each exchange reflected a deep and thoughtful exploration of the true essence of education.

Cooperation Parties' Roundtable Discussion

With the official launch of the practice base, three students from BNBU—ZHANG Yuxuan, HAN Xuanyue, and LU Guanzhong—immediately joined the "Traditional Culture Summer Camp," co-hosted by the Ruxing Club of Peking University and Bo'ai Primary School, bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to the children's summer activities. Zhang Yuxuan and Han Xuanyue will spend a week at Bo'ai Primary School engaging in hands-on teaching practice, transforming textbook knowledge into lively and engaging classroom experiences while quietly sowing the seeds of cultural appreciation in the hearts of the children. 

Meanwhile, Lu Guanzhong, serving as a news recorder and teaching assistant, will take on responsibilities such as teaching support, activity documentation, and news editing, capturing memorable moments through both words and images. On the same day, Dean Hon, Dr. Chen, and Dr. Wong visited the teaching site to offer personalized guidance to the three students, with each piece of advice reflecting the high hopes and expectations of their mentors.

Prof. Hon introduces Zhang Yuxuan to a student at Bo'ai Primary School

Prof. Hon and Dr. Chen visit student Han Xuanyue in her teaching

Dean Hon and Dr. Chen visit Lu Guanzhong on his media work

In the teaching practice, innovative approaches breathed new life into cultural inheritance. Zhang Yuxuan broke away from the static and traditional methods of teaching cultural relics by introducing bronze ware line drawing and coloring as a creative medium, building a bridge for cultural understanding. 

She simplified the intricate taotie patterns and other iconic designs from Shang and Zhou dynasty bronze ware into accessible line drawings, guiding children to explore artistic expression and cultural literacy through the joy of coloring. From deconstructing the structure of artifacts to unraveling their symbolic meanings, the children's brushes transformed cold, ancient bronze symbols into vivid visual language, bringing to life cultural codes that had remained dormant for thousands of years.

Ms. Zhang introducing bronze age materials

Han Xuanyue brought a creative twist to cultural inheritance by incorporating AI drawing technology into her teaching, designing the "Panda Puffy's Baduanjin Tutorial." In her innovative physical education classes, children followed the adorable panda's guidance to practice qigong, filling the playground with joy and laughter. During cultural lessons, she introduced engaging and accessible explanations of the five elements theory in traditional Chinese medicine, offering the children a lively and memorable introduction to health preservation. 

With the support of Dr. Lin Zhenbang, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner at HKBU, Han Xuanyue also created a handbook that combined TCM health knowledge with practical recipes, each page reflecting her thoughtful care for the children. These original teaching materials, like seeds of knowledge, planted hope for health and wisdom in the young minds, making learning both fun and meaningful.

Ms. Han teaching Chinese Baduanjin

Cultural inheritance is never a one-way transfer of knowledge but a dynamic exchange between generations. In classes for children, university students used child-friendly language and creative methods to convey cultural meanings that resonate on a deeper, emotional level. The establishment of the practice base goes beyond simply extending university teaching—it creates a warm, interactive space where culture comes alive. Here, it transforms from static text in textbooks into the spark of curiosity in a child’s eyes, the joyful laughter of children imitating pandas practicing qigong on the playground, and vibrant, hands-on encounters with tradition. This educational practice, grounded in real-life experiences, allows the spirit of culture to take root and flourish naturally, like seeds sprouting into thriving plants.

Looking ahead, BNBU will continue to strengthen its collaboration with basic education institutions in the Greater Bay Area, fostering young talents equipped with the skills to communicate culture in real-world contexts. By planting seeds of culture along children's growth journeys, the university aims to inspire a lasting connection to tradition. These seeds may not sprout right away, but with the passage of time, they will quietly bloom, becoming a source of spiritual nourishment that enriches and shapes their lives in the years to come.

This practice base is supported by Guangdong Higher Education “Rushing to the Top, Making Up Shortcomings, and Strengthening Special Features (RMS)” Project (Code: UICR0400014-24) at Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University.

Reporter: Lu Guanzhong

Photographer: Ye Jingtian, Lu Guanzhong

Translated and reviewed by Wong Kar Bo and Chen Jianing