The forum’s theme was a debate bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, built around two elements: exchanging ideas through debate and experiencing culture. On February 13, 2026, two teams discussed whether traditional festivals should preserve established customs or adapt and update with the times.
Ahead of Chinese New Year, China Huaneng Group, the Cultural Exchange Network of Cambodia and China, and Lower Sesan 2 Hydropower organised the first Huaneng Cup debate forum for Cambodian university students and traditional Chinese New Year craft activities at the Royal Academy of Cambodia. More than 100 teachers and students from the Confucius Institute and local Chinese-language teacher-training institutions attended.
The article describes the debate as exploring traditional culture and reasoned responses to changing times, helping young people build understanding and agreement through exchanges. The cultural activities included Chinese blessing calligraphy, red blessing paper-cutting, wearing traditional Chinese clothes and writing New Year greetings, allowing young Cambodian and Chinese participants to experience the appeal of Chinese traditions, grow closer and celebrate Chinese New Year together.
The forum used Chinese New Year culture as a bridge for warm, meaningful cultural experiences. The article presented it as demonstrating Huaneng’s overseas social responsibility and contribution to Cambodia–China cultural exchanges, youth empowerment and a shared future for the two countries in the new era.
By Pai Sokhim.
