31 envoys to China from Sichuan feel the charm of intangible cultural heritage: Cultural exchanges are the cornerstone of friendly relations

　　China News Service, Chengdu, April 9th: 31 envoys in Sichuan feel the charm of intangible cultural heritage: Cultural exchanges are the cornerstone of friendly relations

　　Reporter Yue Yitong

　　"I have long heard that Sichuan is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization. I am honored to experience these traditional skills in person." On the 8th, Ma Zhiyuan, Argentina's ambassador to China, who has been in office for less than a month, completed his first woodblock in Chengdu. New Year pictures and happily show them to people around you.

　　Ma Zhiyuan told reporters that his Chinese name was named after his good friend Fang Qiu, the Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and had the same name as a famous Chinese opera actor from the Yuan Dynasty. He hopes to gain an in-depth understanding of Chinese culture and promote cultural exchanges between Argentina and China.

On April 8, Ma Zhiyuan (left), Argentina’s ambassador to China, displayed his woodblock New Year paintings. Photo by He Meikun

　　From the 8th to the 10th, 31 envoys to China visited Sichuan, including 19 ambassadors to China from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America, 7 charge d'affaires, 4 heads of international organizations, and the China Trade Development Office in Haiti represent. Shortly after arriving in Chengdu, an intangible cultural heritage performance gave them a glimpse of the charm of Sichuan traditional culture.

　　At the performance site, intangible cultural heritage projects such as rope weaving, paper-cutting, Shu embroidery, woodblock New Year pictures, and dough figures attracted the attention of the envoys stationed in China. They enthusiastically communicated with the inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and actively tried it out. Michael, the Nicaraguan ambassador to China, is very talented in rope weaving skills. Not only can he fluently weave a bracelet with red rope, but he also serves as a teacher for other envoys to China.

　　"Sichuan, Bashi Deban!" After experiencing the intangible cultural heritage project, Michael happily expressed his joy in his newly learned Sichuan dialect. He said that cultural exchanges based on respect for cultural diversity are the cornerstone of all relationships between people. China has achieved great leaps in innovation and development while protecting and inheriting traditional culture and is willing to share these cultures with an open attitude. This is Something deeply touched me. “I’m sure Nicaraguans will love these handicrafts!”

Nicaraguan Ambassador to China Michael (right) takes a photo with the rope-weaving intangible cultural heritage inheritors. Photo by reporter Yue Yitong

　　When Ma Yan, Grenada's ambassador to China, experienced paper-cutting, he cut out his Chinese name on red paper and then put the work properly into his suit pocket. This trip is Ma Yan’s fourth visit to Sichuan. "This intangible cultural heritage experience reminds me of my childhood. My grandparents taught me how to make many handicrafts when I was a child. It feels very good." Ma Yan hopes that this trip can learn more about the history and culture of Sichuan, so as to better promote the people of Grenada and China. Strengthen exchanges and deepen understanding of each other's cultures. In his view, the continuity of Chinese culture and China's ability to preserve its history and culture are admirable. “Only by clearly displaying the traces of history can future generations have a clearer understanding of the origin and connotation of culture.”

Grenada’s Ambassador to China, Ma Yan (right), holds his own paper-cut work and takes a photo with the inheritors of intangible cultural heritage. Photo by He Meikun

　　Jose, Charge d'Affaires of the Colombian Embassy in China, under the guidance of the intangible cultural heritage inheritor of the face, made a lifelike giant panda and planned to give it to his grandson as a gift. "Culture is a very important communication bridge between different countries, and exchanges are the key to establishing better relations between countries, people and people, and culture and culture." Jose said with a smile, hoping to invite Chinese intangible cultural inheritors to come if there is an opportunity. Colombia shows off its skills, and Colombians are happy to show off and teach their craftsmanship. (over)