MUSCAT, NOV 1
A handwritten letter became the starting point for a year-long journey of friendship and cultural discovery between Omani and Chinese students, as a student exchange programme brought young people from the two countries closer through personal correspondence.
Launched in September 2025, the China-Oman Student Letter Exchange Programme brought together 20 male and female students from each country, allowing them to exchange handwritten letters over the course of a year. Through their correspondence, students shared their daily lives, traditions, interests and aspirations, while learning about one another's cultures and building friendships across geographical distances.
The initiative was first proposed by the Postmaster of Oman Post in a letter to the Chinese Ambassador to Oman, suggesting a cultural exchange programme connecting young people from both countries.
Ambassador Liu Jian welcomed the proposal, highlighting the importance of student exchanges in fostering mutual understanding and lasting friendship. He also suggested handwritten letters as a way of encouraging more personal communication in an increasingly digital age.
The Ministry of Education subsequently joined the initiative, providing support ahead of its official launch during the Chinese Embassy's National Day reception in September 2025.
Through the exchange, Omani students learned about Chinese traditions, landmarks and everyday life, while their Chinese counterparts discovered Oman's heritage, forts, customs and hospitality. The letters also allowed students to share personal interests, including science, astronomy and language learning.
The programme's closing ceremony was held during this year's Chinese Embassy's National Day reception, where a video documenting the initiative and recordings of participating students' speeches were presented. Ambassador Liu Jian, Sultan bin Khamis al Yahyaee, Director-General of the Directorate-General of Scouting and Guiding and Student Activities, and Ahmed bin Nasser bin Humaid al Amri, Acting President of Oman Post, presented awards to the winners.
A joint Chinese-Omani judging committee selected the winners across three categories. First prize went to Al Muhallam al Numani and Baylasan al Hadrami from Oman, alongside Shiwen Tao and Chenxi Kong from China. Second prize was awarded to Dawood al Farqani and Nedal al Maashari from Oman, and Yinjie Yang and Yuchen Zhao from China. Third prize recipients were Mudhafar al Sharji and Maram al Mahmoodi from Oman, together with Peixuan Song and Yuxi Wang from China.
Omani student Baylasan al Hadramii described the experience as a valuable opportunity to connect with a new friend and discover another culture. She particularly appreciated that her Chinese pen pal had researched Oman and written to her in Arabic.
Chinese student Shiwen Tao, from Shanghai Foreign Language School, expressed hope that the friendship would continue and that the two might eventually meet in person.
Ambassador Liu Jian emphasised the importance of sincere communication through traditional letter-writing, describing the initiative as a bridge between young people and a means of strengthening cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Oman and China.
Supported by the education ministries, postal authorities, participating schools and the Arab Chinese Channel (CATV), the programme highlights the importance of educational and cultural cooperation in strengthening the longstanding ties between the two countries.
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