On May 10, the press conference for the 10th Annual World Collegiate Weiqi Championship and the opening ceremony of the Shanghai International Student Weiqi Training Program were held at the East Sub-building of Guanghua Towers, Fudan University.
The upcoming championship will take place from July 7 to 13, 2026, at Zhengda Gymnasium, Fudan University. The event will bring together university Weiqi players from around the world to compete, exchange ideas, and build friendships. Meanwhile, the training program has been launched to offer international students Weiqi instruction and an immersive experience of the glamorous Chinese Weiqi culture.
A Platform for International Youth Exchange
Founded in 2014 with the support of the Shanghai Ying Changqi Weiqi Education Foundation, the Annual World Collegiate Weiqi Championship promotes university-level Weiqi worldwide, strengthens exchanges among young players, and spreads traditional Chinese culture. Held annually in July on university campuses, the 7-day event has become an important platform for competition and connection.
The 10th Championship is jointly organized by the Chinese Weiqi Association, the Shanghai Administration of Sports, Fudan University, and the Shanghai Ying Changqi Weiqi Education Foundation, and hosted by the Shanghai Chess Academy and the Department of Physical Education at Fudan University.
This year’s event features two notable firsts: it is held on the Chinese Mainland for the first time and is the largest one ever in its history. During the event, a series of activities, including Weiqi-themed lectures, friendly matches, and cultural exchange programs, will be organized to further facilitate mutual understanding among youths from diverse backgrounds.
Fudan has been actively preparing for the event in areas including venues, accommodation, catering, transportation and volunteer services. Official matches and related activities will be held at Zhengda Gymnasium, a fully equipped venue capable of hosting high-level international competitions, with an accommodation of nearly 5,000 spectators. The university will also provide on-campus accommodation, multilingual dining services, and a dedicated volunteer team with language skills to ensure the smooth operation of the championship.
A Program for Touching China
The Shanghai International Student Weiqi Training Program has attracted over 200 applicants, with 86 students from 35 countries and 13 universities selected to participate. Featuring systematic curriculum design, bilingual instruction, and a range of cultural activities, the program aims to give international students a direct experience of Chinese culture — by touching the black and white stones themselves.
The Championship and the training program mark an important step in promoting international cultural exchange. With its longstanding Weiqi tradition and distinctive campus culture, Fudan University is committed to hosting an event of excellence and friendship. Through this event, Fudan will further advance the preservation and global promotion of traditional Chinese culture.
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Writer: ZHAN Yuxin
Proofreader: YANG Xinrui
Editor: WANG Mengqi, LI Yijie
