A delegation of African journalists who had just finished covering a major event on China-Africa cooperation in Beijing traveled to southwest China's Chongqing Municipality to enjoy the charm of the mountainous city.
The three-day 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) concluded in the Chinese capital on Friday. Some African journalists took advantage of being in China to learn more about the country.
At Liziba Station, one of Chongqing's must-visit spots, these journalists were amazed by a surreal scene that light rail trains run through a residential building.
Thousands of people visit the site every day, not for the public transportation, but to take pictures of the railway line through a 19-story building.
The journalists were curious about the story behind the rail line, such as how does the government reduce the noise and maintain the railway without disturbing residents, and how much was invested to build the station.
"Many lessons to learn, many things to behold. It's amazing to see things made easy, soft touch. That's the kind of work we do. But I think we only desire that this be done in Africa. It's a desire that in our generation, our children will grow up to see what parents have really done to make life worth living. Kudos to China, kudos to concepts of modernization," said Fortune Egbeji Abang, a Nigerian journalist.
The delegation was also invited to a local teahouse for a rest since it was scorching hot in Chongqing.
The traditional long-spout teapot pouring performance and the Sichuan Opera's face-changing techniques clearly left a deep impression on these African guests.
"They really like their culture, and they protect their culture. And this is the message for me that I'm taking from now that it's better to protect your culture because as you can see we are here, so many people from African countries just to explore and see and experience about Chinese culture. And I think, because we, as African people, we have our own culture. And I think we are sharing now," said Abubakar Harithi Bakar, a Tanzanian journalist.
The reporters said they hope to use the visit as an opportunity to introduce Chongqing to audiences back home.
Through their lenses and articles, they say, they want to promote more cultural exchanges and understanding between China and Africa.
African journalists experience Chongqing vibes
The rising popularity of Guochao, also known as the trend of "China-chic", has contributed to a consumption boom and more diversified consumption scenarios ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
China-chic refers to fashion trends native to China, which incorporates unique native cultural elements into the latest trends.
For this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, the brand-new event "The Empress's Mid-Autumn Feast" at the Mingtang Tiantang Scenic Area in the National Archaeological Site Park of Sui-Tang Luoyang City in central China's Henan Province has attracted many visitors.
Through interactive experiences such as the performance of court music and dance, and the Empress Wu Zetian bestowing incense, it recreated the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) palace, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere of the holiday.
The "Hanfu craze" in Luoyang City has led to an increase in the number of tourists visiting scenic spots and has extended the overall economic chain. This trend has boosted the popularity of services such as Hanfu rental, makeup and styling, and professional photography, making them widely popular.
In Luoyang's Luanchuan County, activities such as the "Fairy Palace Moon Viewing Party" at the peak of the Laojun Mountain, which stands over 2,000 meters above sea level, have driven a surge in business for the Hanfu stores at the mountain's summit, leading to a peak in consumer activity.
"This year's Mid-Autumn Festival is witnessing an increase of over 50 percent in Hanfu rentals and sales, as well as travel photography services, compared with the same period last year. With such beautiful scenery as a backdrop, the demand for traditional China-chic consumption remains strong," said Jin Ge, owner of a Hanfu store atop the Laojun Mountain.
Driven by the rise of China-chic, creative cultural products are continuously updated with new offerings.
At a glazed glass workshop in Zibo City, east China's Shandong, skilled workers were busy crafting creative glassworks featuring lively jade rabbits, a symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
As soon as the products hit the market, they quickly became popular both online and offline.
"While inheriting tradition, we've been exploring something new, developing creative products that better meet current market demands, thus winning the favor of a wide range of consumers," said Liu Jianhua, deputy general manager of Xiye Workshop.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, is a cherished occasion for family reunions in China. It falls on September 17 this year.
China-chic boom fuels consumption for Mid-Autumn Festival
