The launch of the 3rd Cross-Straits Youth Guoxue Study Camp [Photo/ptnet.cn]

Cross-Straits Center of Guoxue kicked off its 3rd study camp in Pingtan, the closest place on the Chinese mainland to Taiwan. The camp came as part of the 2nd Cross-Straits Guoxue Forum. Guoxue refers to the study of traditional Chinese thought and culture.

Youths from abroad and across the Taiwan Straits gathered in Pingtan. Programs of  the 5-day study tour include traditional Chinese etiquettes, Peking Opera,Tai Chi, etc.

Pilar from Spain learning to make tea in the study camp [Photo/ptnet.cn]

The tea etiquette is among Guoxue sessions. Pilar, a Spanish national and international lecturer at Fujian Normal University, was earnestly learning the formalities of making tea in a traditional Chinese setting.

“Before, I thought that making tea is just a mechanical procedure. What I experienced today has changed my view.Tea-making is a form of spiritual meditation as well as a rite. Making tea requires patrician elegance and I felt at ease throughout the process. I learnt a lot about the traditional Chinese culture, ” said Pilar.

To spice up the programs even more, a Guoxue vlog competition has been also added this time round.

As a trademark for the Cross-Straits Center of Guoxue, the youth study camp will continuously expand its campaign to bring youths across the Straits together, promote young generation to have a better understanding of the shared cultural identity, and raise their awareness of Pingtan's growing tourism and development.

“The Cross-Straits Center of Guoxue plans to create a permanent study base in Pingtan with an aim of carrying forward the fine traditional Chinese culture and building a spiritual common homeland shared by people across the Taiwan Straits,” introduced You Wenjuan, the person responsible for the activity.

Youths from across the Taiwan Straits and overseas are learning the traditional Chinese etiquette. [Photo/ptnet.cn]

Camp students pictured playing chess and the game of Go [Photo/ptnet.cn]

Camp students pictured at a Guoxue book bar [Photo/ptnet.cn]

Camp students are visiting the Craft Gallery in the Cross-straits Center of Guoxue. [Photo/ptnet.cn]