On May 26, Uwe Koch, Science and Education Consul and Head of the Culture, Science and Education Department at the German Consulate General Shanghai, led a delegation to visit the College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP), Tongji University. The two parties held targeted talks at Room 209, Building A, centering on rural design, cultural identity and Sino-German scientific research cooperation.

The German delegation comprised Uwe Koch and Zeng Hongping from the consulate's science and education department. Tongji's participants included University Foreign Affairs Office Director Yin Wen, CAUP Dean Professor Philip F. Yuan, Vice Dean Professor Chen Chen, Assistant Dean Associate Professor Tian Weijia and other key administrative staff.

Professor Philip F. Yuan showcased CAUP's exemplary rural architectural projects, including the award-winning Heart of Yong'an series in Yunlong County, Yunnan, which claimed the 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. He explained how the projects adopt local landscapes and vernacular materials to create inclusive rural spaces and cultivate residents' cultural belonging. He also introduced the iconic Bamboo Village project, demonstrating innovative practices in rural cultural revitalization and eco-friendly architectural design, which earned high praise from Koch.