The blue ocean nurtures infinite life and the origin of species, and ancient marine culture is the breeding ground and cradle of human culture. Chinese marine culture contains an ancient history of Chinese civilization and foreign friendly exchanges, which confirms the admiration and longing of the Chinese working people for the ocean since ancient times. From Zheng He's seven voyages to the West, to the Maritime Silk Road connecting the East and West, the vast Chinese maritime civilization conveys to the world the beautiful vision of the Chinese people's yearning for cultural exchange and economic exchange.
As one of the core compulsory courses in the general education system for international students of DMU, the course "Chinese Marine Civilization" offered by Professor Ma Mingfei from the Law School has always been highly praised by international students for its innovative form and rich content. At the beginning of the spring semester in 2024, in order to further deepen the understanding of Chinese marine culture for international students, Professor Ma Mingfei organized and arranged the "Embrace the Blue Ocean, Experience Chinese Culture" - a visit and experience activity at the Dalian Natural History Museum, with more than 40 international students from 14 countries participating.
The Dalian Natural History Museum was founded in 1907 and was officially named Dalian Natural History Museum by Guo Moruo in 1959. There are 12 exhibition halls in the museum, including Earth, Dinosaurs, Marine Life, Northeast Forest Animals, Wetlands, Species Diversity, and Liaoxi Paleontological Fossils, showcasing over 5100 specimens. The collection of large whale specimens in the museum ranks first in China, with one of the 17.1-meter-long and approximately 66.7-ton female North Pacific right whale ecological specimens being the treasure of the museum. In addition, the museum also exhibits more than 20 species of other sea animal specimens, such as fin whales, gray whales, sperm whales, killer whales, and baiji dolphins. For many international students, this is the first time they have entered such a large-scale natural museum, where they can personally experience the forms, knowledge, and characteristics of different marine fish and organisms, recognize the close relationship from marine civilization to ecological protection, and have a deeper understanding and resonance with the concept of building a community of human and nature, and a community of human destiny. While the young volunteers in the museum carefully explained, the international students listened attentively and exchanged ideas with each other. In the blue ocean civilization, Chinese and foreign youth shared a sense of Chinese culture and looked forward to future development.
Human life comes from the ocean, and human culture originates from the ocean. China is a maritime power with a continental coastline of 18000 kilometers.This has nurtured a long history of marine culture and mutual learning and exchange between Chinese and foreign people. Starting from this practical activity, let us delve deeper into Chinese marine culture in the "Chinese Marine Civilization" course, explore new ideas to promote the development of world marine culture and ecological civilization, and contribute to the construction of a better future for humanity with the voice of DMU.
