Harnessing Digital Power to Carry Forward the Cultural Legacy of the Central Axis: BIGC Launches a New Platform for Cultural Communication

2025-11-02

On the afternoon of November 1, the School of International Education of Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication (BIGC) released its 2025 National Conditions Education Project mini-programme, "Tracing Beijing, Sensing the Central Axis". A launch and promotional event for the mini-programme was held at BIGC's West Campus. By leveraging digital technology to empower cultural communication, the initiative aims to build a new bridge for exchange between China and the rest of the world.

The “Tracing Beijing, Sensing the Central Axis” mini-programme is an outcome of BIGC’s 2025 National Conditions Education Project supported by the Beijing Municipal Education Commission. The project engaged 77 international students from 28 countries, representing 12 universities in Beijing, including BIGC and Peking University, who participated in field research and seminar activities. The project also received close guidance from the Beijing Municipal Education Commission and the Information Office of the Beijing Municipal People's Government, as well as dissemination support from multiple media outlets, including CRI Online. The “Tracing Beijing, Sensing the Central Axis”mini-programme is built on the concept of a “cultural field”. It selects iconic traditional landmarks and takes the “Twelve Scenes of the Central Axis” as its narrative thread to present, from architectural forms to humanistic spirit, the historical evolution and cultural continuity of the Central Axis and the major architectural sites, exhibition venues, and former residences of notable figures along it, from multiple dimensions. As an interactive application integrating exhibition, guided tours, and learning, the mini-programme transforms abstract cultural heritage into a perceptible, interactive, and shareable digital experience. Through dissemination by international students, it seeks to promote the Beijing Central Axis as a "global cultural symbol". The launch of the mini-programme represents not only a meaningful innovation in BIGC's national conditions education, but also an important platform for telling China's stories well and sharing Beijing's culture with international students.

"Study at BIGC" brand ambassadors — Pakistani alumnus Hussain Muhammad Talha, Bangladeshi alumnus Ahamed MD Sabbir, Mexican international student Nancy Herrera Tapia, and Tanzanian international student Zuberi Khairat Ibrahim — shared with CRI Online their study experiences in Beijing, as well as the achievements and joy they have gained along the way. They noted that, through the "Tracing Beijing, Sensing the Central Axis" mini-programme, people will be able to see a Beijing that is more authentic, multidimensional, and captivating.

The launch of the "Tracing Beijing, Sensing the Central Axis" mini-programme represents a vivid practice of applying digital technology to preserve cultural heritage and promote exchanges between China and the rest of the world. Looking ahead, BIGC will continue to uphold an open and inclusive approach, cultivate more international talent, and inject fresh momentum into cultural exchange and cooperation between China and other countries.