DUBAI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- A group of university students and faculty members from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) took part in a study tour from Wednesday to Friday, exploring Chinese cultures and visiting local operations of Chinese enterprises.
Organized by the China Merchants Foundation and Sinotrans, with support from the Chinese Consulate General in Dubai, the event -- Merchants Group C ME FLY: International Logistics Study Tour -- brought together around 80 participants from the University of Sharjah and the University of Birmingham Dubai.
Participants visited the China-UAE Economy and Trade Exchange Center in Dubai, watched traditional tea ceremonies and handicraft demonstrations, tried on traditional clothing, and toured Sinotrans' 5G smart warehouse and COSCO SHIPPING's Port Abu Dhabi Terminal.
On Friday, Chinese Consul General in Dubai Ou Boqian met with the participants and introduced China's ancient "shichen" time system, linking traditional concepts to the country's modernization path.
"It's been an amazing opportunity. We had a great experience learning about Chinese culture and logistics technology," said Awab Abdulsattar Awad, a student at the University of Sharjah.
"Through these events, we also gained insights into China's history and its growing relationship with the UAE. Our phones are full of unforgettable memories," he added.
Asmaa Awad, director of the Language Institute at the University of Sharjah, said the study tour was valuable for fostering academic and cultural exchanges.
"Such initiatives help promote student exchanges, faculty collaboration, and deeper cultural understanding between China and the UAE. We look forward to further strengthening ties through language and shared experiences," she said. ■
