The first Sports Culture Exchange Week of the South and Southeast Asian University Network (S&SE ASIAN UN) was held from Dec 16 to 20 at Yunnan University (YNU), located in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province.

Launched by YNU, the international sports and cultural exchange event attracted a total of 88 teachers and students from eight universities in six countries.

The first Sports Culture Exchange Week of the S&SE ASIAN UN is held at YNU from Dec 16 to 20. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

The universities included Royal University of Law and Economics in Cambodia, National University of Laos, Mandalay University and Yangon University in Myanmar, Kasetsart University and Silpakorn University in Thailand, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and Vietnam National University.

Li Chenyang, executive secretary-general of the S&SE ASIAN UN and vice president of YNU, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony and expressed hopes that young people from different countries will be able to increase their understanding of each other through cultural exchange, Li said.

The School of Physical Education at YNU organized a series of activities such as sports culture lectures, basketball carnivals, friendly volleyball matches, folk dance courses, track and field competitions, and friendly futsal football matches.

At the fraternity hosted by students of YNU and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, the sports cultures of various countries were showcased.

The School of Physical Education at YNU organizes a series of activities during the sports culture exchange week. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

The five-day sports and cultural exchange activity has enhanced the friendship between teachers and students at the various universities.

Established on Dec 10, 2018 and initiated by YNU, the S&SE ASIAN UN is a platform for pragmatic international exchanges and cooperation between Chinese universities and universities in South and Southeast Asian countries.

A total of 120 member universities have participated in related activities. Seventy-six of the universities are located in South and Southeast Asian countries.

Moving forward, YNU will continue developing the S&SE ASIAN UN to contribute to the opening-up of education in the Belt and Road Initiative.