In the spring of Liaoning, a group of youthful visitors arrived from afar. From March 26 to 28, teachers and students from the VIVES University of Applied Sciences in Belgium traversed two continents to visit Liaoning, embarking on an exploratory journey that blended modern technology with profound culture.

This was a study trip with “tech vibe”. At Shenyang Siasun Robot Automation Co., Ltd., teachers and students were captivated by the highly intelligent robotic arms and automated production lines, capturing the precision and efficiency of “China’s intelligent manufacturing” with their cameras. At Shenyang Aerospace University, they touched the dreams and achievements of China’s aerospace industry in the Aviation Expo Park and key laboratories. At the Liaoning General Aviation Academy, they experienced up close the innovative vitality of China’s general aviation sector. Every stop was a moment of perceiving and exploring cutting-edge technology, while every exchange sparked the flames of curiosity and reflection.

This was also a cultural journey steeped in “Chinese flavor”. Amid the red walls and green tiles of the Shenyang Imperial Palace, they marveled at the grandeur and intricacy of traditional Chinese architecture. The student Michiel Soenen exclaimed excitedly, “The magnificent ancient architectural complex of the Shenyang Imperial Palace exudes a sense of solemnity, deeply impressing me with its profound historical heritage.” At the Feng Yuanping Paper-Cutting Art Museum, under the guidance of an intangible cultural heritage inheritor, they attempted paper-cutting creations. Ordinary red sheets transformed into lifelike patterns between their fingertips, leaving them in continuous amazement at the beauty of this millennia-old intangible cultural heritage.

“In Liaoning, I saw a China that is somewhat different,” said team leader Evert Cottyn. “We witnessed the surging wave of intelligent technology here and also observed the cultural confidence of an ancient civilization moving toward the future. I hope to have the opportunity to return to Liaoning in the future to continue this thought-provoking exchange and dialogue.”