Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for joint efforts with Spain to add new dimensions to bilateral relations when meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is on an official visit to China from September 8 to 11.
Xi said pursuing peace and development remains the trend of the times in today's turbulent world, adding that responsible countries like China and Spain should take a holistic and long-term view in developing their relations and jointly make contribution to global peace and stability.
"In today's changing and turbulent world where challenges keep emerging, pursuing peace and development remains the trend of the times and accords with the will of the people. China and Spain are both countries with a sense of responsibility and mission. The two sides should take a holistic and long-term view, strengthen bilateral cooperation, expand coordination on multilateral occasions, and add new dimensions to the comprehensive strategic partnership, to make greater contribution to world peace, stability and human progress," Xi said.
Sanchez said his visit aims to deepen Spain-China ties and that Spain hopes to conduct constructive cooperation with China.
"It is a great honor for me to visit China again one year after our last meeting. President Xi, the purpose of my visit is to further deepen bilateral relations based on mutual respect and recognition. China is a country committed to peace and I believe its influence is of great importance. China plays a key role in the world, including in Europe. Spain hopes to carry out constructive cooperation with China and work toward closer, richer and more balanced China-EU relations," he said.
Xi calls for adding new dimensions to China-Spain ties
Xi calls for adding new dimensions to China-Spain ties
Xi calls for adding new dimensions to China-Spain ties
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
