On March 20, 2026, Zhang Yinjun, President of Beijing Changier Education Foundation, led a delegation to Munich, Germany, embarking on the second leg of their European tour. This city at the heart of Bavaria is one of the most active hubs for Sino-German exchanges. Within a single day, the delegation visited the Chinese Consulate General in Munich, the German Kaiyuan Tours Group, and the German Meditation Association in succession. While each of the three visits had its own focus, they all centered on the same theme: bringing Chinese philanthropy to the world and showcasing China's warmth to a global audience.

Visiting China's "home" in Munich: A trip to the consulate general of China in Munich

The moment the delegation members stepped into the Chinese Consulate General in Munich, they were filled with a spontaneous sense of pride and affection.

Munich is the capital of Bavaria, Germany's most economically developed state, and a major center for technological innovation and industrial manufacturing in the country. The Chinese Consulate General in Munich is the largest of China's four consulates in Germany. The consulate building is imposing and dignified, where traditional Chinese architectural aesthetics harmoniously blend with modern diplomatic protocol, embodying the grandeur of a great nation. Here stands the most solemn presence of the People's Republic of China in Bavaria, serving as the most vital diplomatic gateway for Sino-German exchanges and, above all, as a beacon of warmth that forever burns in the hearts of overseas Chinese, no matter where they may be.

Consul General Qiu Xuejun, Education Consul Liu Qingwen, and Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office Wu Jian warmly welcomed the Changier delegation. The two parties held a candid and constructive in-depth discussion in the spacious and bright reception hall.

Regarding youth exchanges, Consul General Qiu Xuejun proposed specific recommendations for promoting bilateral exchanges between Chinese and German young people. He pointed out that German youth's understanding of China remains constrained by information echo chambers, with many people's perceptions of China still mired in stereotypes. "The best way is to let them see for themselves," he said, adding that the Consulate General is willing to actively serve as a bridge and, working through channels such as the German-Chinese Friendship Association and local Chinese language schools, help organize visits and exchanges to China for German youth, so that firsthand experience can become the most compelling "China story".

President Zhang Yinjun introduced the practical experience of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation in promoting international youth exchanges. Changier has consistently leveraged grassroots efforts to facilitate international dialogue and promoted mutual learning among civilizations through education as a bridge. She particularly emphasized that the Beijing Changier Education Foundation has accumulated abundant resources and expert networks through twenty years of public welfare practice, and can collaborate with local Chinese schools and the German-Chinese Friendship Association through both online and offline initiatives to provide heartfelt support for second-generation overseas Chinese and local youth.

In the field of educational cooperation, Education Consul Liu Qingwen provided a detailed introduction to the characteristics and advantages of German Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule). Both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including mutual recognition of Chinese-German vocational education, joint training programs, and reciprocal recognition of academic qualifications. The delegates unanimously agreed that Germany's mature dual vocational education system is highly aligned with China's current national strategy for transforming and upgrading vocational education, and that there is enormous potential for cooperation between the two countries in this field.

At the conclusion of the exchange, the Consulate General thoughtfully prepared a heartfelt "gift package" for the Changier delegation—a comprehensive resource list of top universities and research institutions in Bavaria specializing in three key areas: family education, adolescent mental health, and women's education. This list highly aligned with the international work priorities of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation, captivating the delegation members and filling them with great enthusiasm. Everyone deeply felt that this was not just a document, but the Consulate General's profound understanding of and sincere support for Changier's work—the motherland's diplomatic forces have always been quietly paving the way and safeguarding the international journey of grassroots public welfare initiatives.

Following the exchange, President Zhang Yinjun and his delegation took a group photo with Consul General Qiu Xuejun and Education Consul Liu Qingwen as a warm keepsake. This photograph captured a historic moment as China's philanthropic efforts stepped onto the world stage, while also making everyone present feel that the motherland will always be our most steadfast pillar of support. Every civil society organization engaged in public welfare overseas can go further, stand firmer, and act with greater confidence, for they have their motherland as a towering pillar of support.

The handshake between public welfare and business: A visit to Kaytrip Group in Germany

On that day, the Changier delegation also visited the headquarters of Kaytrip Group Germany in Munich.

Founded in 2002, Kaytrip Group is a comprehensive multinational enterprise group with over two decades of deep-rooted presence in Europe. Its business spans multiple sectors including Chinese-language media, outbound tourism, cross-border e-commerce, culture and education, and business consulting. More notably, Kaytrip Group serves as the chairman unit of the South Germany Branch of the German Chamber of Commerce in China.

This meeting between Beijing Changier Education Foundation and Kaiyuan Tours Group stemmed from their long-standing shared commitment and aligned values in promoting Chinese culture internationally and serving overseas Chinese communities. Both parties engaged in a visionary discussion on the potential for deep integration between public welfare and commercial interests.

According to President Zhang Yinjun, the internationalization of public welfare initiatives depends on the support of commercial partners with strength, resources, and commitment. With over twenty years of deep roots in Europe, Kaiyuan Zhoulv Group has not only built a tourism and media network spanning major European cities, but has also forged strong partnerships with local governments, universities, and business associations—precisely the "local foundation" that Beijing Changier Education Foundation needs for its internationalization journey.

Mr. Zhou Hongtu, founder of Kaytrip Group, stated that the ultimate significance of enterprises going global lies not only in creating commercial value, but more importantly, in forging cultural and emotional connections. Over the past two decades, the Beijing Changier Education Foundation's spirit of safeguarding life through education and delivering warmth through public welfare highly aligns with Kaytrip Group's corporate mission of "serving the Chinese community and connecting China with the world". "We are willing to be the wings that carry Changier's philanthropic mission to the world."

This is a sincere handshake between public welfare and commerce—when heartfelt philanthropy meets responsible enterprise, China's global influence will grow stronger and reach further.

A meeting of hearts and minds: A visit to Cizhou Academy of Mindful Peace Association Germany

One evening in Munich, the delegation visited a place of distinctive character—the Mindful Peace Academy, part of Mindful Peace Association Germany.

Mindful Peace Association Germany, founded in 2025 and registered in Munich, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a space for physical and mental well-being for Chinese communities in German-speaking regions and all those who cherish Eastern wisdom. Here, Eastern traditional wisdom, mindfulness practice, and modern lifestyle converge, guiding people to slow down, find stillness, and live in the present moment. "True home is not found elsewhere, but in the peace within."

Guided by the academy's instructors, the delegation members gained hands-on experience with the curriculum. As the course progressed, the atmosphere grew increasingly quiet and contemplative. Many delegation members were moved to tears when sharing their feelings—it was a long-absent stirring, a precious moment when, amid the whirlwind of international visits, their hearts suddenly found a place to pause and breathe. Participants unanimously agreed that the path to inner peace conveyed by this course is not only a personal spiritual practice, but also the most pressing social need of our time.

President Zhang Yinjun, drawing on the Beijing Changier Education Foundation's years of dedicated work in the field of adolescent mental health, engaged in in-depth discussions with Feng Feng, the head of the academy. She pointed out that mental health issues among adolescents have become an unavoidable social concern in both China and Europe, affecting young people and their families across the East and West in different ways. What Cizhou Academy offers is precisely a path of spiritual healing that transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries—one that serves the Chinese community in Germany while also providing local German youth with a welcoming gateway to Eastern wisdom and the warmth of Chinese culture.

Both parties unanimously agreed that there is significant room for in-depth cooperation between Beijing Changier Education Foundation and Cizhou Academy on the globally shared issue of mental health: Changier can introduce the systematic experience and expert resources it has accumulated in the field of school mental health education in China to overseas contexts, while Cizhou Academy can leverage its localized operational capabilities in German-speaking regions to jointly explore mental health support projects for overseas Chinese communities and local youth, enabling Eastern wisdom to truly serve as a bridge that transcends cultural barriers and fosters genuine human connection.

At the end of the exchange, Shu Tong, a Changier International Love Ambassador in the delegation, generously donated on the spot, supporting the charitable work of Cizhou Academy through concrete action. This donation is not only a strong endorsement of a young charitable organization, but also a vivid embodiment of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation's philosophy of "Love Without Borders"—no matter where one may be, as long as there is love in one's heart, the seeds of charity can take root and flourish in distant lands, bringing warmth to more lives.

Closing Remarks

Three visits in one day, three encounters, three dimensions of connection: the power of a nation, the commitment of commerce, and the warmth of the heart.

The Munich story has begun. The European journey continues.