Intangible cultural heritage exhibition opens in Xinjiang

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 2024 "Xinjiang is a Wonderful Land" intangible cultural heritage exhibition opened in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Thursday, showcasing fruitful cooperation in intangible cultural heritage protection and exchange. 

The exhibition in Korla, the capital of Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, brought together over 300 intangible cultural heritage projects and more than 400 representative inheritors from Xinjiang and other 21 provinces and cities.   The exhibition features various sections, including an intangible cultural heritage market, hands-on activities for visitors, and music and dance performances.

"What caught my eye at the exhibition hall this time was a reed painting from Panjin, Liaoning Province. During my talk with the inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Panjin, he mentioned that he had also heard about the reeds at Bosten Lake in our Bayingolin. He expressed a strong desire for an exchange among heritage inheritors or creators in Bayingolin, hoping to explore the possibility of blending and innovating creations from both regions," said Yang Liuqing, a visitor.   Many inheritors at the exhibition are from the younger generation, who have emerged as the main driving force behind intangible cultural heritage preservation.   "The middle-aged and young inheritors participating in our intangible cultural heritage exhibition have become a major group, infusing our ongoing efforts in intangible cultural heritage preservation and continuation with increased vitality and creativity. I consider them a standout highlight of our exhibition this time," said Lei Qiang, deputy director of Xinjiang Safeguarding and Research Center of Intangible Cultural Heritage.   The exhibition, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Xinjiang regional government, has been held for four consecutive sessions since 2021.   This year's exhibition has made new breakthroughs in scale and the number of inheritors and intangible cultural heritage projects.   The exhibition will run until August 26.

Intangible cultural heritage exhibition opens in Xinjiang

China and Spain are set to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, with a focus on expanding collaboration in emerging industries such as clean energy and cross-border e-commerce, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

During a regular press briefing, spokesperson He Yongqian said the ministry will work closely with Spanish authorities to strengthen ties and cement economic partnerships.

"Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recently led a trade delegation to China, where he and Minister Wang Wentao delivered speeches at the second meeting of the China-Spain Business Advisory Council, joined by over 60 representatives from both countries. During the meeting, business leaders from China and Spain expressed their commitment not only to strengthening cooperation in traditional sectors but also to exploring opportunities in emerging industries such as clean energy, cross-border e-commerce, big data, and the low-altitude economy, while jointly expanding into other markets," He said.

The spokesperson said the next step is to provide more regular and practical platforms for exchanges between businesses from the two countries.

Sanchez visited China for a four-day trip that began on Sept. 8.

China, Spain to deepen economic cooperation, explore new sectors: commerce ministry