Portuguese students observe a humanoid robot's movement at a robot manufacturing facility in Tianjin. YAN DONGJIE/CHINA DAILY

Standing atop the winding Great Wall, Ana Carolina Pestana Neta, a student from the University of Lisbon, recited the familiar Chinese proverb: "He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man."

She had uttered the sentence countless times in Chinese classes back in Lisbon, but had always regarded it as little more than a textbook expression. Standing on the ancient ramparts overlooking mountains stretching into the distance, she finally understood its deeper meaning. "It embodies perseverance, the courage to push beyond personal limits and the determination to keep moving forward," she said. "This trip has helped me truly understand what those words mean."

Neta was among 19 Portuguese Chinese-language students who took part in a recent Chinese Bridge summer camp, an exchange program organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education.

Supported by long-term exchange mechanisms run by the Confucius Institute at the University of Lisbon, a growing number of young Portuguese people choose to pursue long-term academic studies in China, with the Chinese language serving as a vital bond linking Sino-Portuguese cultural exchange and bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

During the two-week visit, students went beyond the classroom to experience China firsthand. They attended language courses and cultural lectures, explored Tianjin's historical neighborhoods, visited high-tech enterprises in Xiqing district and interacted with local residents, gaining a broader understanding of both the country's cultural heritage and its modern development.

For many participants, the experience dispelled long-held assumptions. "Before this trip, my understanding of China came mainly from fragmented overseas media reports," said Ricardo Andrade Pugliese, a Portuguese cybersecurity engineer. "Seeing modern industries, efficient public services and people's enthusiasm for self-improvement with my own eyes has completely changed my impression."

Two Portuguese students learn to play guqin with a Chinese instructor in Tianjin. YAN DONGJIE/CHINA DAILY

Traditional culture also left a lasting impression.

While visiting the Tianjin Ancient Culture Street, the group listened to live guqin performances and tried traditional folk crafts, allowing Anabela Ventura Carraca to experience the centuries-old civilization that first inspired her to study Chinese in Lisbon.

Others were enchanted by discoveries made in daily life.

Diogo Antonio Moreira Lopes de Carvalho Rosa visited a family in Tianjin where he learned to make dumplings and experienced a style of dining very different from that in Portugal.

"In Portugal, everyone eats from separate plates, while Chinese families share dishes placed at the center of the table," he said. "That reflects the closeness and warmth that characterize Chinese family life."

He also joined elderly residents in community square dancing, describing it as "a wonderful way" for seniors to stay active while strengthening neighborhood ties.

For Beatriz Goncalvez de Andrade, who works in international trade, learning Chinese is also an investment in her future career.

"As China's role in global trade continues to grow, Chinese gives me access to more international business opportunities," she said.

The growing interest in Chinese culture and language reflects broader ties between the two countries. Wang Jincheng, dean of the Confucius Institute at the University of Lisbon, said centuries of interaction centered on Macao have created a unique historical connection between China and Portugal.

China and Portugal established formal diplomatic relations in 1979 and upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2005, during which China resumed full sovereignty over the Macao Special Administrative Region on Dec 20, 1999, after long-term colonial rule by Portugal. "This shared history makes many Portuguese naturally curious about China," Wang said. "Chinese language learning has become increasingly popular across Portugal."

Zheng Siming, vice-dean of the School of English at Tianjin Foreign Studies University, said the exchanges often continue long after the summer camp concludes, with Portuguese and Chinese students maintaining close friendships through WeChat. The trend is also reflected globally.

According to the 2025 Annual Report of Confucius Institutes released by the Chinese International Education Foundation, more than 330,000 candidates took Chinese proficiency tests last year, while over 7.4 million people participated in cultural activities organized by Confucius Institutes and classrooms worldwide.

Statistics from the Ministry of Education indicate that 380,000 international students from 191 countries and regions are now pursuing studies across Chinese universities.

Some summer camp participants have drawn up long-term plans to continue their Chinese learning and in-depth exchanges with China. Diogo Rosa will start his postgraduate studies at Shanghai Jiao Tong University this September, eager to experience authentic Chinese campus education and the daily life of young Chinese people from an insider's perspective.

Margarida Isabel Cacao Ferreira also made up her mind to keep improving her Chinese proficiency, expressing her sincere wish to pursue further studies in Tianjin, where she can immerse herself fully in language and local culture.