At the start of autumn, by the side of Xiang River, friends come from afar.

On September 12, 2023 Diplomats’ Chinese Cultural Forum was successfully held in Changsha. Under the guidance of the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, this forum was hosted by China-Asia Economic Development Association, and organized by the Foreign Exchange Committee and the Carbon Neutrality&Green Development Committee of China-Asia Economic Development Association. On the occasion of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, this event aims to carry forward the traditional Chinese culture and the spirit of Hunan culture, promote the cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and foreign countries, and express our best wishes for peace, prosperity, and the promotion of shared destiny, emotions, and vision of all mankind.

2023 Diplomats’ Chinese Cultural Forum Main Venue

Participants include foreign guests from eight countries such as former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Kubatbek Boronov, Ambassador of the Somali Embassy in China AWALE ALTKULLANE, Deputy Ambassador of the Ethiopian Embassy in China Dawano Kedir, Vice Consul of the Consulate General of Laos in Changsha SATHAPHONE MINGMOUNGKHOUN, and Chinese guest such as Executive Vice President and Secretary-general of China-Asia Economic Development Association Chen Jun, chairman of the China Art Festival Foundation An Ran, president of the Carbon Neutrality&Green Development Committee of China-Asia Economic Development Association Fu Jian, president of the Foreign Exchange Committee of the China-Asia Economic Development Association Sun Yingjie, and leaders from the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province.  Wei Xin, a speaker from the popular TV show Lecture Room, a famous historical and cultural scholar and writer, attended the event. George Smoot, Nobel Prize winner and professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley, participated in the forum by video.

At the forum, Xiang embroidery "Red Light Shining on Aiwan Pavilion", Liling porcelain with five under-glaze colors , and the HeChengTianxia Mid-Autumn Festival gift box appeared on stage as cultural emissaries of Hunan, and were given as gifts to the foreign guests from eight countries. They help deepen the exchange and mutual learning between civilizations, and promote Chinese civilization and the culture and spirit of Hunan to the world.

Diplomats from Eight Countries Gathered in Changsha Appreciating Hunan Culture

Diplomats are the bridge of cultural exchanges and the "national envoys" between countries. At the venue, Chen Jun, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the China-Asia Economic Development Association, delivered a warm opening speech, “Hunan culture, with its unique geographical environment and rich historical accumulation, has formed a unique and diverse cultural landscape, and has made important contributions to the development of Chinese civilization. I hope all guests can feel the profound cultural heritage nurtured on this land.”

Chen Jun, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the China-Asia Economic Development Association, giving a speech

Today's world is experiencing a new round of great development, great changes and great adjustments, and the development of human civilization is facing more opportunities and challenges. An Ran, chairman of the China Art Festival Foundation, said that in order to cope with the unprecedented changes in a hundred years, we must strengthen our cultural self-confidence, promote the creative transformation and innovative development of China's excellent traditional culture. Rooted in China, we should learn from other countries for a bright future, and better build the Chinese spirit, Chinese values and Chinese strength.

Civilization is colorful because of communication, and civilization becomes rich because of mutual learning. This is the voice of diplomats. Ambassador of the Somali Embassy in China AWALE ALTKULLANE and Deputy Ambassador of the Ethiopian Embassy in China Dawano Kedir, delivered speeches at the scene, expressing their expectations for strengthening international cultural exchanges and cooperation, establishing lasting friendships, and their affirmation for the culture and spirit of Hunan.

Deputy Ambassador of the Ethiopian Embassy in China Dawano Kedir delivering speech

Deputy Ambassador of the Ethiopian Embassy in China Dawano Kedir says that Chinese culture is like a bright pearl in the long history of mankind, deeply affecting the whole world. Hunan culture, as one of the representatives of China's excellent local culture, contains rich history and humanistic spirit. I have a strong interest in Chinese culture and Hunan culture. I appreciate the uniqueness of Hunan culture and the wisdom it contains. I look forward to more cooperation with China in the cultural field through this forum.

Nobel Prize winner in physics George Smoot on video

In the video, George Smoot, the Nobel Prize winner in Physics, also expressed his love for Chinese culture. China has created a brilliant culture with its more than 5,000 years of civilization. The essence of Chinese culture is the perfect integration of a variety of philosophical and cultural systems, with a high degree of inclusiveness, vitality and creativity.

Three gifts to share the essence of Hunan culture

Caring for the public and daring to do the impossible, Hunan is the place where half of China's modern history was born. This forum also invited Wei Xin, a speaker of the TV show Lecture Room, a famous historical and cultural scholar and writer, to give a special speech on the origin of Chinese culture, the unique charm of Hunan culture, and the three major Hunan cultural symbols such as Hunan porcelain and Xiang embroidery.

The host giving three symbolic Hunan gifts to foreign guests

Then, the host prepared gifts for foreign guests with Hunan characteristics and historical significance. Starting from the side of the Xiang River, these gifts connects Hunan with the wider world and deepens the friendship and cultural exchange between Hunan and other countries.

Weixin said that Xiang porcelain is a good embodiment of the Hunan spirit of "daring to do the impossible". Xiang embroidery echoes with the inclusiveness of Hunan culture, and the “warm and domineering” Hunan hospitality culture shows the people of Hunan are energetic, open-minded, and hospitable.

Foreign guests all expressed their love for these three gifts, believing that these three gifts carry history, culture, profound meaning, and strong local characteristics. At the same time, they also felt the enthusiasm and hospitality of the people of Hunan.

When night falls, wonderful programs with Hunan characteristics are staged. Dynamic Hunan folk songs, classical and elegant poetic music sitcoms, and grassroots life sitcoms are performed as an ode to the prosperous China and a harmonious world. Foreign guests and friends take photos while enjoying the shows.

Chen Jun, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the China-Asia Economic Development Association, said, “Culture is an important link between different countries and nations. It can not only enhance mutual understanding, but also promote friendship among people of all countries. We hope that this forum can help the world better understand Chinese culture and Hunan culture, and help Chinese culture go global.”

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