Shenzhen, June 29, 2025 — Under the soft glow of summer lights by Xili Lake, more than 350 students and faculty from over 30 universities across China, the UK, the US, and Australia gathered for the 2025 Songhe International Youth Rowing Night — an evening of sportsmanship, friendship, and global exchange hosted by the X9 University Alliance.
Rooted in the annual X9 Rowing League, the event celebrated not only athletic competition but also the deeper connections built through shared experience. Since its founding in 2022, the X9 University Alliance — based in Shenzhen’s Xili Lake International Science and Education City — has used rowing as a platform to foster collaboration in education, research, and talent development. Over the past three years, the league has grown from a regional initiative into a bridge for international dialogue, blending academic exchange with the spirit of sport.
This year’s cultural evening, themed "Rowing Beyond Borders," offered a rich mix of performance, conversation, and intercultural interaction. More importantly, it further amplified Shenzhen Nanshan’s identity as a city of youth, innovation, and openness on the global stage.
The evening was hosted by Miao Kejia and Ren Kai from PKU HSBC Business School
A Warm-Up of Friendship: International Students Visit PKU Shenzhen
In the days leading up to the main event, the spirit of exchange was already in motion. Rowers from the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, the University of Sydney, and the University of California, Berkeley visited PKU Shenzhen for a day of campus exploration.
International student delegations visiting PKU Shenzhen
Welcomed by faculty and student representatives at the HSBC Business School, guests were introduced to the school’s academic strengths, global vision, and dynamic teaching environment. Professor Mao Na shared insights into the school’s founding, interdisciplinary curriculum, and student achievements.
International rowers visiting HSBC Business School
The tour included highlights such as the business school’s signature teaching spaces and its state-of-the-art media studio. Josephine from the University of Sydney was especially impressed by the facial recognition check-in system at the classroom entrance, joking, “It’s even faster than the library scanners back home!”
International teams touring classrooms and the media studio
The delegation also visited the School of Transnational Law, where they explored the modern library and admired the panoramic view from the sunlit terrace.
International teams visiting the School of Transnational Law
The tour concluded at the Student Activity Centre, where visiting rowers couldn’t hide their excitement at spotting familiar rowing machines in the fitness room — a reminder that some passions truly transcend borders.
International rowers exploring the Student Activity Center
Through this immersive visit, international students gained not only a first-hand look at PKU Shenzhen’s academic and cultural environment but also laid the groundwork for meaningful connections ahead of the Rowing Night.
Group photo of international students and PKU faculty at HSBC Business School
A Cultural Symphony Beneath the Lights
As the evening began, a highlight reel played on the big screen, celebrating standout moments from this year’s X9 Rowing League. A special segment then spotlighted the championship teams from PKU Shenzhen, the University of Sydney, and the University of Cambridge, who took the stage to share reflections on their races, express appreciation for fellow teams, and extend hopes of reuniting next year.
PKU Shenzhen team shares their championship reflections
University of Sydney team shares their reflections
University of Cambridge team shares their thoughts on the race
Professor Yu Changjiang, Executive Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at PKU Shenzhen, welcomed the international guests and shared the story of Shenzhen — a city that has transformed from a small border town into a global metropolis in just under four decades. He drew a connection between the collaborative spirit of rowing and Shenzhen’s DNA of innovation and openness, encouraging everyone to not only experience the excitement of sport but also witness the city’s energy in technology and culture.
Professor Yu Changjiang delivering his remarks
A retrospective video traced the X9 Alliance’s growth over the past three years, showcasing how education, science, and sports have come together to form an innovative model of collaboration.
Rhythms of Youth, Echoes of Unity
What followed was a vibrant showcase of performances that reflected the diversity and creativity of each participating university.
Evening Highlights
Whether through music, dance, or theatrical pieces, every team brought the energy of their school and the synergy of rowing to the stage. International and Chinese students alike lit up the venue with familiar tunes, choreographed routines, and shared laughter.
On-stage Performances
In between performances, teams exchanged gifts — each token a symbol of friendship, goodwill, and shared memory. Smiles, snapshots, and spontaneous chats filled the space with a warmth that needed no translation.
The evening closed with guests joining hands on the dance floor, celebrating not only the end of a successful race day, but the beginning of lasting friendships. The delegation from the University of Sydney praised the evening’s cultural atmosphere and proudly showed off the gifts they had received from other teams. “This wasn’t just a rowing event,” one student said, “It was a bridge to new friends from all over the world.”
Delegation from the University of Sydney
Fang Zihua, president of the Peking University Rowing Association, expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and organisation of the event. “This was my first time racing in Shenzhen, and I truly hope there will be more opportunities for us to come back and build stronger ties between the north and south.”
Group photo of Peking University (Beijing & Shenzhen teams)
One Paddle, One Promise
The 2025 Songhe International Youth Rowing Night was more than an evening of celebration — it was a vivid expression of what global youth can achieve together. As students from different corners of the world left with commemorative paddles etched with “Rowing Beyond Borders,” they carried with them more than memories — they carried a shared commitment to shaping a future without boundaries.
Closing group photo of the evening
