People line up to try food from Pakistan. [Photo by Yan Dongjie/ chinadaily.com.cn]

About 1,500 international students from nearly 80 countries gathered in Tianjin for the 16th Tianjin University International Cultural Festival, sharing their countries' distinctive cuisines, costumes and dances and other traditions.

From Malaysian drummers performing "Echoes of the Haihe" to Vietnamese pho and Latin American handicrafts, the festival transformed the campus into a global cultural showcase, highlighting Tianjin's international education achievements and multicultural charm.

A child at Beijing Square in Tianjin University. [Photo by Yan Dongjie/ chinadaily.com.cn]

"The festival provides a platform for Chinese and international students to share China's stories and learn from other cultures. We have witnessed students grow in tolerance, cooperation, and mutual understanding through these experiences," said Li Qiang, president of the School of International Education, Tianjin University.

A "passport stamping" activity encouraged participants to explore all booths exhibited by international students, with those completing 30 stamps receiving exclusive souvenirs.

Visitors with international performers. [Photo by Yan Dongjie/ chinadaily.com.cn]

Yin Qi, a student at the School of Marxism, Tianjin University, said: "Without traveling far, we experienced diverse cultures right on campus. On stage, students shared stories through performance; off stage, we explored cuisines from different countries. I felt the most touching moments of cultural fusion here."

Gladkova Vasilian, who performed Russian characteristic dances, said: "By performing the waltz, we aim to share the cultural characteristics of our country. At the same time, we are willing to understand and integrate into China's culture, and hope to further exchange insights about the cultures of our respective nations."

International students took commemorative photos with China tourists. [Photo by Liu Zhenyi / for chinadaily.com.cn]

"At this event, although our languages aren't entirely the same, it is precisely our interest in diverse cultures and our desire to make new friends that enable us to communicate more effectively," said Audrey Aiko Ong, an international student from Indonesia.

Since its inception in 2007, the Tianjin University International Cultural Festival has been held 16 times. Li described it as a key platform for Chinese and international students to exchange ideas and learn from one another.

Zhang Tao, director of the Tianjin Municipal Education Commission, said that Tianjin's international education has been advancing steadily.

Visitors exploring the event. [Photo by Yan Dongjie/ chinadaily.com.cn]

Last year, the total number of international students in the city's universities reached 19,000. Tianjin has established 38 Confucius Institutes and 26 Luban Workshops worldwide, hosted two World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conferences, and organized the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese competition. These initiatives have built a broad platform for cultural exchange and mutual learning among Chinese and international youth, he said.

International students from Malaysia performed traditional dances. [Photo by Ma Qiran / for chinadaily.com.cn]