An online activity of Malaysian and Chinese teenagers writing Spring Festival couplets to celebrate Lantern Festival was held in Malaysia on Feb 15. Nearly 500 teenagers from Malaysia and China participated in the activity online and offline to learn about Chinese culture and calligraphy.

At the event, An Fuyong, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at SEGi University of Malaysia, gave a lecture to the youngsters introducing traditional Chinese culture and related folk customs. After the lecture, a lively question and answer session was held to help the teens get a more thorough understanding of customs. Young participants showed great interest and understanding of Chinese culture, and both introduced their own cultural and folk customs to each other.

Professor Huang Chengli, former vice-chairman of the Hainan Calligraphy Association, taught Chinese calligraphy and Spring Festival couplets at the event, and showed the writing of couplets in various styles. Two students from the two countries wrote the Chinese character "Fu" together under the guidance of Huang. The organizer also selected five participants who wrote the best calligraphy and gave them an award.

Zhao Changtao, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, said in his speech at the event writing Spring Festival couplets perfectly combines the custom of Spring Festival with the art of Chinese calligraphy, which has strong artistic quality. He hoped young people from Malaysia and China could learn more about the calligraphy and profound Chinese culture, and become friendly messengers promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries in the future.

Zhou Sijun, vice president of SEGi University of Malaysia, said the Malaysia-China friendship goes back to ancient times and youth exchanges between the two countries are particularly important, which represents a bright future of the two countries. He also said the Spring Festival couplet is a key part of the New Year culture and an important cultural symbol. Many Malaysian Chinese families still keep the custom today. He hoped young people from the two countries could further understand and learn this traditional culture through activities.