On the morning of June 7th, the Alumni House at East China Normal University (ECNU) was filled with applause and laughter as the closing ceremony of the 14th Diplomats’ Program of 2025 Shanghai Summer School was grandly held. This program is sponsored by Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) of Shanghai Municipal Government and hosted by ECNU. The ceremony brought together diplomats from consulates in Shanghai to celebrate this significant milestone. Attendees included Mr. Liu Guangyong, Deputy Director of FAO; Mr. Liang Lei, Director of Consular Affairs Division, FAO; Ms.Ge Jingyi, Deputy Director of International Exchange Division, Shanghai Municipal Education Commission; Mr. Chen Yongliang, Deputy Director of Consular Affairs Division, FAO.

Ms. Huang Meixu, Director of Global Education Center at ECNU, delivered a speech at the ceremony, extending warm congratulations to the graduating diplomats and expressing admiration for their dedication to learning Chinese despite their busy schedules. This year marks the 60th anniversary of ECNU's international student programs, and Director Huang sincerely invited all participants to return to the beautiful campus as alumni for the celebrations.

Two diplomat representatives shared their experiences and reflections on learning Chinese and immersing themselves in Chinese culture during the program.

Vladislav Spasov, Consul-General, Consulate General of Bulgaria in Shanghai:
"Learning Chinese is challenging, but Chinese characters are like meditation—they bring aesthetic joy and help me understand China better. I will continue studying hard and practicing Chinese characters every day, hoping to make steady progress."

Pratik Mathur, Consul-General, Consulate General of India in Shanghai:
"Today is not an end, but a new beginning. Whether we become business envoys, cultural bridges, or simply lovers of Chinese cuisine, this time spent thinking, dreaming, and even talking in our sleep in Chinese will forever remain a treasure in our lives!"

Following the speeches, officials from FAO of Shanghai Municipal Government, Shanghai Municipal Education Commission,and ECNU presented certificates to the graduating diplomats.

This year 59 participants from 28 consulates joined in the Diplomats’ Program and completed the courses successfully. During the ten weeks, the diplomats not only learned practical Chinese but also attended lectures on China’s economy and diplomatic wisdom, visited Zikawei Library and Shanghai Metrological Museum, and experienced Dunhuang culture through activities like Feitian dance, clay painting, tea art, etc.

The closing ceremony also featured the 7th "Mandarin Show" for consular diplomats in Shanghai. Energetic dances, rhythmic tongue twisters, poetic recitations, and melodious Chinese songs created a lively atmosphere, showcasing the diplomats’ language skills and the vibrant exchange of cultures.

The ceremony concluded with all participants singing Auld Lang Syne, bringing the 14th Diplomats’ Program to a heartwarming close. This three-month journey of language and culture, which began with a simple "Nǐ hǎo," ended with a promise of "Hòu huì yǒu qī," planting seeds of understanding and friendship in everyone’s hearts.

As one of the most influential programs in Shanghai Summer School, the Diplomats’ Program has thrived for 14 years, providing a high-quality platform for language learning and cultural exchange among consular officials in Shanghai. It plays a vital role in fostering friendly exchanges between China and other countries and strengthening ties between the Shanghai government and foreign consulates. Let’s look forward to meeting again next year!