运河鲜闻｜泰晤士河遇见大运河剑桥大学学子在WCCO与香港青年开展青春对话|剑桥大学|大运河|扬州|泰晤士河|英国

大运河传媒讯（董明桂艳）当泰晤士河的柔波遇见中国的运河，一场跨越山海的青春对话就此展开。8月19日上午，英国剑桥大学的10名学子到访世界运河历史文化城市合作组织（WCCO）秘书处，深入了解中国大运河文化及WCCO作为运河国际组织的职责使命，与暑期在WCCO秘书处实习的香港学子共同参与知识竞答、五子棋对弈等跨文化互动，共话青年责任，感受东方智慧。

作为工业革命发源地，英国建有大量人工运河，至今仍部分通航或作为旅游休闲水道。流经剑桥大学的康河，在17世纪经人工改造后具备通航功能，与英国的运河系统相连。此次来访的剑桥学子，对运河并不陌生，但在中国大运河申遗展示馆，他们仍对这条世界上开凿最早、跨度最长的东方水道深感震撼。在WCCO相关展区，学生们详细了解WCCO作为运河国际组织，在保护传承利用运河文化、推动世界运河城市人文交流中展现的全球担当。走进世界运河文化裸眼3D沉浸式展示馆，世界十大遗产运河的壮阔风貌次第铺展，让大家在科技光影中领略运河文化的多样性。

一场“无国界”的智力盛宴开启。剑桥学子与暑期实习的香港大学生并肩而坐，共同观看WCCO宣传片，深入了解WCCO与联合国等国际组织紧密合作，推动中外青年开展运河文明交流对话，携手共建人类命运共同体的生动实践。带着这份理解，学生们围绕大运河、泰晤士河与SDGs（联合国可持续发展目标）展开知识竞答。“中国大运河于哪一年列入《世界遗产名录》？”“泰晤士河是英国的什么河？”“SDGs中哪一条聚焦海洋资源利用？”英文题目刚从大屏幕跃出，手臂已争相举起，正确率几近100%，“学霸”本色展露无遗。

真正的“考验”来自五子棋。作为“运河联通世界 Canal Link”经典活动之一，五子棋兼具休闲游戏和智力竞技特点，是古老东方智慧的代表。纸板棋盘前，有学生执子踌躇，同伴们则热心支招，“three，two，one”的倒计时声中，棋子直至最后一刻才落下。攻守进退之间，胜负已不重要，笑声成为共同的语言。正如运河可以联通世界，古老棋艺成为心灵相通的文化桥梁。

当天下午，中外青年结伴踏上运河寻访之旅，依次探访友好交往展厅、扬州中国大运河博物馆、扬州深潜大运河中心与万福塔楼。在直观感受运河与扬州深厚渊源的同时，也领略了这座城市古今交融的创新气象。

“中国大运河的规模竟然如此宏大，看到古老的运河依旧在使用，真的特别让人惊叹。”剑桥大学学生Willam Fawcett说，英国工业革命时期修建了很多运河，他从小在运河边长大，却是第一次认识中国的大运河，印象很深刻，而与香港大学生的友好互动也非常有意义。

“今天把剑桥学生带到扬州和WCCO，是想让他们有机会深入了解中国大运河，看到世界运河文化彼此相连的模样。”此次到访的学生均来自剑桥大学赛艇队，带队老师李基铉是亚洲赛艇联合会前秘书长、全球运河赛艇穿越行动发起人之一，他说，赛艇与运河密不可分，希望学生们不止于水面上的划行，更能触摸扬州的历史温度，感知运河文化的气息，把这段美好的旅程化作难忘的记忆。

Grand Canal Media News (Dong Ming, Gui Yan) When the gentle currents of the Thames meet those of China’s canals, a dialogue about youth across mountains and seas begins. On the morning of August 19th, ten students from Cambridge University in England visited the secretariat of the World Historic and Cultural Canal Cities Cooperation Organization (WCCO) to gain a deeper understanding of the culture related to the Grand Canal in China, as well as the responsibilities and missions of WCCO as an international canal organization. Together with Hong Kong students who were interning at the WCCO Secretariat during the summer, they participated in cross-cultural activities such as knowledge quizzes and Go games, discussing the responsibilities of young people and experiencing the wisdom of the East.

As the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Britain has many artificial canals. Some of these canals are still in use for navigation or as recreational waterways today. The River Cam, which flows through Cambridge University, was made navigable in the 17th century after being artificially modified. It is connected to Britain’s canal system. The students from Cambridge who visited here are not unfamiliar with canals. However, at the Exhibitor’s Center for the World Grand Canal, they were still impressed by this Eastern waterway, which is one of the oldest and longest canals in the world. In the related exhibition areas of WCCO, the students learned more about WCCO’s role as a canal-related organization, and how it contributes to the preservation, utilization, and promotion of canal culture, as well as to cultural exchanges between canal cities around the world. Entering the World Canal Culture Naked Eye 3D Immersive Exhibition Hall, the magnificent views of the world’s top ten heritage canals are presented, allowing people to experience the diversity of canal culture through the effects of technology and light.

A “borderless” intellectual feast has begun. Cambridge students sit alongside Hong Kong university students undergoing summer internships, watching the WCCO promotional video together. They learn more about how WCCO works closely with international organizations such as the United Nations, promoting exchanges and dialogues between young people from different countries regarding canal-based civilizations, and contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. With this understanding, the students engage in knowledge quizzes related to the Grand Canal, the Thames River, and the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations). “In which year was the Chinese Grand Canal added to the World Heritage List?” “What is the Thames River in England?” “Which SDG focuses on the use of marine resources?” As the English questions appeared on the screen, students rushed to raise their hands; the accuracy rate was almost 100%, clearly showing their true academic prowess.

The true “test” comes from Go. As one of the classic activities of “Canal Link”, Go combines elements of a leisure game and a mental competition; it represents the wisdom of ancient Eastern cultures. Before the cardboard board, students hold up their pieces hesitantly, while their peers offer helpful suggestions. As the countdown goes “three, two, one”, the pieces are placed until the last moment. Whether attacking or defending, winning or losing becomes unimportant; laughter becomes the common language among them. Just as the canal can connect the world, this ancient game becomes a cultural bridge that connects hearts.

That afternoon, young people from China and abroad joined together on a tour along the canal. They visited the Hall of Friendly Exchange, the Yangzhou Grand Canal Museum, the Yangzhou Deep Dive Canal Center, and the Wanfu Tower in sequence. While experiencing the deep connection between the canal and Yangzhou, they also appreciated the innovative atmosphere of this city, where ancient and modern elements blend together.

“The scale of the Grand Canal in China is truly impressive. It’s amazing to see that this ancient canal is still in use today,” said Willam Fawcett, a student at Cambridge University. Many canals were built during the Industrial Revolution in Britain; he grew up near such canals. This is the first time he has seen the Grand Canal in China, and it left a deep impression on him. The friendly interactions with students from Hong Kong are also very meaningful.

“Today, we brought the Cambridge students to Yangzhou and WCCO, in order to give them the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Grand Canal in China, and to see how the canal cultures around the world are interconnected.” The students who attended this visit were all members of the Rowing Team at Cambridge University. The teacher leading the group, Lee Ki-hyun, is the former Secretary-General of the Asian Rowing Federation and one of the founders of the Global Canal Rowing Challenge. He said that rowing is closely related to canals. He hopes that the students will not only enjoy the experience of rowing on the water, but also feel the historical significance of Yangzhou and experience the culture associated with canals. They can turn this wonderful journey into unforgettable memories.