Pursuing the Chinese language dream, gathering at GEM. On August 3, 2026, the opening ceremony of the Chinese Language Intensive Training Camp (Phase V) for the Indonesia Government–GEM–Central South University Joint Master’s Program in Metallurgical Engineering, Transportation, and International Trade (hereinafter referred to as the “Phase V Chinese Language Intensive Training Camp”) was grandly held at the Green Homeland International Training Center of the GEM (Jingmen) Circular Economy Industrial Park. Professor Huang Yinpin, Associate Dean of the School of Foreign Languages at Jingchu University of Technology and Program Director; Dr. Tian Qi, Associate Dean for Research; Professor Wu Guangqin; and other members of the Chinese language teaching team attended the ceremony. Senior Deputy General Manager of GEM and Dean of the Central Research Institute Dr. Zhang Kun; Deputy General Managers of GEM Dr. Xu Pengyun and Mr. Lyu Zhi; Assistant General Managers Dr. Bie Chuanyu, Dr. Wang Yaning, and Dr. Yang Jian; and other management representatives were also present. A total of 85 new master’s students from Indonesia gathered at the venue to embark together on a three-month immersive Chinese language learning journey.

▲ Opening ceremony scene of the Phase V Chinese Language Intensive Training Camp

At the start of the ceremony, all attendees watched a video presentation showcasing the learning outcomes of previous Chinese language training camps. The video vividly reviewed the growth journey of Indonesian students from the first four cohorts—starting from scratch, diligently practicing Chinese, and eventually becoming proficient in communicating in Chinese—and visually demonstrated the remarkable results of the “immersion-style” Chinese language teaching model. To date, the Indonesia Government–GEM–Central South University Joint Master’s Program has completed five enrollment cycles, bringing a total of 266 outstanding Indonesian students to China for advanced studies, covering three core areas of China-Indonesia cooperation: metallurgy, rail transportation, and international trade.

At the opening ceremony, Professor Huang Yinpin, Associate Dean of the School of Foreign Languages at Jingchu University of Technology and Director of the Phase V Chinese Language Training Program, delivered a speech, providing a comprehensive introduction to the teaching team, training curriculum, and assessment standards for this phase. She stated that the teaching team comprises 12 associate professors and doctors as the core faculty, supported by 10 teaching assistants providing full-time guidance throughout the program. The faculty team brings together years of experience in overseas Chinese language teaching and international student education, offering Indonesian students a vibrant and engaging Chinese language learning experience. Professor Huang also noted that this training goes beyond language proficiency, embracing an integrated “Chinese + Professional” approach. She expressed her hope that Indonesian students would use language as a key to understanding GEM’s green recycling culture, experiencing the essence of Jingmen city, and growing into a backbone force connecting China and Indonesia in friendly cooperation, injecting youthful energy into bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

▲ Professor Huang Yinpin, Associate Dean of the School of Foreign Languages at Jingchu University of Technology and Director of the Phase V Chinese Language Training Program, delivering a speech

Dr. Zhang Kun, Senior Deputy General Manager of GEM and Dean of the Central Research Institute, extended a warm welcome to the 85 Indonesian students who traveled across oceans to study in China, and expressed sincere gratitude to the teaching team from Jingchu University of Technology for their dedicated instruction. He pointed out that language serves as a bridge for civilizational exchange and a key to industrial cooperation. Since 2019, GEM has successively established a full-industry-chain industrial park in Indonesia, the Joint Research Laboratory in Bandung, and the International Green Industrial Park, consistently upholding the philosophy of “integrated development of industry, technology, and culture, growing together with Indonesia.” GEM has advanced its “Hundred-Thousand-Ten Thousand Talent Plan” (one hundred engineering doctoral students, one thousand engineering master’s students, and ten thousand engineering technical professionals), committed to cultivating internationally-oriented professionals bridging China and Indonesia.

Dr. Zhang Kun put forward four earnest expectations for all students: first, to devote themselves to their studies and solidify their Chinese language foundation, ensuring that what they learn can be applied; second, to actively integrate themselves, broaden their international perspective, and gain a deep understanding of Chinese culture and the realities of industrial development; third, to unite and support one another, fulfill their responsibilities as young talents, and organically integrate language learning with professional knowledge; and fourth, to respect their teachers, abide by discipline, and exercise self-management. He encouraged all students to take this Chinese language training as a new starting point, using Chinese as a bridge and their professional expertise as wings, to become inheritors of China-Indonesia friendship, promoters of cultural exchange, and practitioners of economic and trade cooperation, writing a new chapter of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes for both countries with their youthful energy!

▲ Dr. Zhang Kun, Senior Deputy General Manager of GEM and Dean of the Central Research Institute, delivering a speech

Apri, student representative of the Phase V Chinese Language Intensive Training Camp, delivered a speech on behalf of all new students, sincerely thanking the Indonesian government, GEM, and Central South University for providing this valuable learning platform. He candidly acknowledged that learning Chinese characters and tones at the introductory level posed considerable challenges, and that he himself had experienced moments of confusion. However, he firmly believes that the beginning is always the hardest part, and that with persistent practice, great success will ultimately be achieved.

▲ Apri , student representative of the Phase V Chinese Language Intensive Training Camp, delivering a speech

Zhang Hanxing, an outstanding student representative from the Phase IV Chinese Language Intensive Training Camp and currently a master’s student in International Trade at Central South University, shared practical experience in Chinese language learning. Drawing on her own three-month training experience, she shared her insights: upon first arrival, she even needed teaching assistants’ help for courier communication, but after completing the program, she was able to independently handle various daily life matters; the fun teaching method of “singing Chinese songs when arriving late” in class helped correct pronunciation and reinforce memory in an enjoyable way; extracurricular life was comfortable and convenient, video calls helped alleviate homesickness, and cross-disciplinary friendships among classmates were invaluable. She encouraged everyone to make full use of self-study time, proactively use Chinese in daily communication, turn casual conversations into language practice, speak boldly, and stay committed—after three months, their Chinese language progress would surely exceed their own expectations.

▲ Group photo of teachers and students of the Phase V Chinese Language Intensive Training Camp

Since the launch of the joint training program, GEM has continuously developed comprehensive learning support systems, providing Indonesian students with a full set of learning materials, improving living facilities, implementing a round-the-clock “immersion-style” Chinese language environment, encouraging daily communication entirely in Chinese, reducing reliance on English and Indonesian, and creating an all-encompassing immersive language setting. Over the next three months, all students will, under the guidance of professional faculty, solidify their language foundation, gain exposure to Chinese culture, and become familiar with expertise related to the low-carbon circular economy industry. Upon completion of this training, all students will proceed to Central South University to continue their master’s degree studies, continuously supplying bilingual, interdisciplinary professionals for the collaborative development of green industries between China and Indonesia, and deepening people-to-people exchange and industrial win-win cooperation between the two nations.