Why should you come to China? You mean besides the diverse culture, beautiful atmosphere, and delicious food? Even with the incredible things China has to offer, many people are, understandably, hesitant to commit to it as their study abroad destination, whether due to the language barrier, political concerns, or being so far away from their family. I shared all these sentiments before committing and coming here, and these worries followed me all the way to the 14-hour flight that brought me to Beijing. However, after being here I realized what was worth worrying about and what turned out to not be a big deal.

The paper commemorating the 25th anniversary of The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies (TBC) finds itself showcased within the pages of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific’s 2024 Annual Report. TBC stands out as a Jesuit institution dedicated to higher education and research, facilitating East-West dialogue and cultural exchange for a quarter of a century.

Together with Wah Yan College Hong Kong,we also welcomed students and faculty from Wah Yan College Kowloon through TBC’s ChinaContact program. Their cultural and educational journey began with visits to Tsinghua University and Peking University, fostering deeper ties with these leading mainland Chinese institutions.

In late March, we welcomed our longtime friends from Wah Yan College Hong Kong through TBC’s ChinaContact program. Their first visit was to their sister school, Beijing No. 11 School, where they engaged in vibrant exchanges, sharing educational insights and cultural experiences with each other.