International students paint pottery cups. [Photo/sit.edu.cn]

The Shanghai Institute of Technology organized an activity on Aug 6, giving 20 international students from five countries the chance to enrich their understanding of traditional Chinese culture.

Led by Vice Principal Wang Ying, the students visited an art fair in Shanghai and learned how to paint fans and ceramics, which will be turned into porcelain after firing, under the guidance of Wang Jiafang, a nationally esteemed artist.

Ancient Chinese painters would paint on fans to convey different ideas, while porcelain is an important symbol of China and is so associated with the country that it is often referred to simply as "china".

International students paint Chinese fans. [Photo/sit.edu.cn]