The Cross-Campus Playshop for Language and Cultural Exchange (PLACE) Summer Camp 2026 opened in Nansha, Guangzhou, on the morning of August 10, drawing young people from more than 40 countries.

Hosted by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), or HKUST(GZ), the camp is one of the flagship events marking HKUST's 35th anniversary. The international participants are joined by HKUST students and HKUST(GZ)'s 2026 undergraduate intake.

Emilio de Miguel Calabia, consul general of Spain in Guangzhou, said the younger generation has a key role to play in deepening friendship between China and Spain. He hoped the camp would help participants develop curiosity, empathy and creativity, as well as the confidence to make positive contributions to their communities and the wider world.  Harris Alwi, consul general of Malaysia in Guangzhou, said he was delighted to learn that Malaysian students were taking part in this year's summer camp. He hoped they would serve as ambassadors for Malaysian culture while learning from peers around the world.

Guangzhou Shipyard International Co., Ltd. (GSI) will sponsor 10 British students a year to attend the PLACE Summer Camp, said Zhou Xuhui (William Zhou), the company's president. The sponsorship runs for the term of a shipbuilding contract awarded to GSI in 2026 by Caledonian Maritime Assets, a Scottish state-owned firm, for two freight-flex vessels.

This year's PLACE Summer Camp focuses on three areas: conducting cross-cultural exchange, preserving Chinese cultural heritage and visiting cutting-edge science and innovation sites.

Activities will include visits to Lingnan intangible cultural heritage sites, a study tour of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, field trips to science and technology parks across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, sports activities, and the Global Citizen Challenge.

In partnership with HKUST(GZ), the Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office invited young people from Guangzhou's international sister cities to visit the city and attend the summer camp.

The 42 university students come from cities including Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Bristol (U.K.), Lyon, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Lahore, Suva (Fiji), Vancouver, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney and Abu Dhabi. Representing Guangzhou's 111 international sister cities, they will experience the city's history and culture and learn about the achievements of Chinese modernization.  

Photo | Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)