Tongji University, a prestigious university in Shanghai, opened a new course this semester consisting of 16 lectures on the Belt and Road Initiative as well as the cultures of countries involved in the initiative.

The course is open to all of the university's undergraduates, including both Chinese and international students, and will be taught every Friday for 17 weeks.

The teaching team will be led by Professor Sun Yixue, dean of the International Cultural Exchange College at the university, and will feature overseas scholars.

Sun said the course will help students expand their international vision and increase cross-cultural understanding. He encouraged students to choose it as an elective.