The 2025 GD&U Tour—Guangdong Cultural Spring Camp for Hungarian Youths at the Guangdong Chanwu Cultural Center brought together 31 teachers and students from the Hungary-China Bilingual Primary School for a 10-day in-depth cultural journey.

The Hungarian youths strengthened their physical fitness through traditional martial arts such as Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and Baduanjin, where culture serves as a bridge to enhance mutual understanding.

"I'd never been to China before, but after two years at the Hungary-China Bilingual School, I finally got to experience it firsthand," said Birkás Lilla, a Hungarian student, her eyes sparkling with excitement. At the Chanwu Cultural Center, she and her classmates practiced basic Kung Fu moves and explored the streets of Guangzhou. Despite the packed schedule, she grinned, "We've done so much already—like learning martial arts and discovering the center's history. Everything's been amazing. So far, so good!"

Fodor Kristóf Béla, another student at the camp, tapped into his deep interest in Chinese culture during this trip. "I first learned Kung Fu at six and a half. It's tiring but so fun!" he said, wiping sweat from his brow after a training session. Raised in a bilingual environment, the teenager recited Chinese poems effortlessly and raved about the local cuisine: "The food here is incredible!" The camp deepened his cultural curiosity and fueled his ambition: "My dream is to study computer science at Peking University."

"Today was my first Kung Fu lesson, but I already know it's vital," said Jónás Janka, her determination resonating across the training hall. The Hungarian teen connected martial arts to broader cultural wisdom. "Just like practicing Kung Fu, studying China's history makes us stronger—in body and mind," she added. "This camp isn't just about fitness; it's about unlocking the spirit of Eastern traditions."

The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. In 2024, the China-Hungary relations were elevated to a new era of all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthening the foundation of people-to-people friendship through cultural exchanges.

"Martial arts, I think, are very important transmitters of Chinese culture, because while you practice Chinese Kung Fu, you can also learn the language and the philosophy of the Chinese people," emphasized Péter Várfi, Consul General of Hungary in Guangzhou, during the "Guangdong-Hungary Friendship Tour" spring camp. He highlighted the transformative power of cultural exchanges, calling martial arts a vital conduit for deepening bilateral understanding.

He expressed his belief that through people-to-people connections and meetings, both sides can gain a better understanding of each other's cultures and further promote mutual friendship.