KUALA LUMPUR — More than 100 students from Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM), Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), and SM Sains Tapah in Perak visited the Chinese Embassy on Tuesday to engage with Chinese cultural traditions and advanced technological exhibits ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The embassy hosted an Open Day event featuring a variety of activities intended to showcase China’s heritage alongside its latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI). Participants explored traditional Chinese customs by wearing hanfu—colorful, traditional robes—playing traditional games, crafting paper lanterns, and learning how to make mooncakes, a central treat associated with the festival. One activity involved using oversized chopsticks to handle plush mooncakes, providing a playful introduction to the festival's symbols.

Alongside these cultural displays, students were introduced to AI tools developed by the Chinese technology company iFLYTEK. A notable highlight was an AI-powered virtual Confucius, which provided an interactive platform for students to inquire about Chinese history, culture, arts, and Confucian teachings in multiple languages. The students also experimented with AI-powered translation and note-taking applications capable of transcribing speech and converting handwritten notes into digital text.

In his opening remarks, Chinese Embassy counsellor Xu Siseng emphasized the event’s dual focus on cultural appreciation and scientific innovation. He noted that 2026 marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which prioritizes AI as a critical factor for bolstering the nation’s self-reliance and technological advancement over the coming five years.

Xu also underscored China’s commitment to international cooperation in AI development, referencing the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, of which Malaysia is a founding member. He detailed plans to offer AI training programs and seminars to developing countries and expressed optimism about expanding collaborative efforts in AI innovation between China, Malaysia, and other partners.

The embassy official concluded by affirming its intention to continue fostering friendly exchanges, especially among youth, as a cornerstone for strengthening China-Malaysia relations. He expressed hope that the younger generation would play a pivotal role in advancing bilateral ties as the two countries approach the next phase of their partnership.