Cities across China celebrated the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival on Sunday with a host of cultural events featuring local folkloric essences such as lantern fair, traditional costume parade and firework display. In Xi'an City of Shaanxi Province, northwest China, a grand Mid-Autumn Parade was added to the festivities at the Tang Paradise, a cultural theme park showcasing the prosperous ancient Tang Dynasty. The highlight of the parade featured actors performing the modern adaptations of traditional dances under the moonlight, accompanied by the fanfare of Dongcang drum music, a Chinese intangible cultural heritage. Visitors, dressed in traditional Tang Dynasty attire, participated in lantern riddles, released river lanterns, and enjoyed night parades through the scenic park.
In Rongguofu Mansion scenic spot in Zhengding County of Hebei Province, north China, where the classic Chinese novel "Dream of Red Mansions" was filmed as a popular TV series, a grand series of Mid-Autumn activities took center stage. The events, featuring immersive theatrical performances of iconic scenes from the novel, attracted numerous visitors to explore.
In Yunyang County of Chongqing Municipality, southwest China, various cultural heritage experiences are prepared to showcase the traditional Mid-Autumn festivities. Families, young and old, gathered to make mooncakes by hand, enjoying not only their handmade desserts but also China's traditional culture. Meanwhile, a unique lantern-making workshop was also a big hit. Under the guidance of staff, participants crafted delicate lanterns and floated them on water, praying for happiness and prosperity.
In Shaoxing City of Zhejiang Province, east China, a grand gala took place in Yuecheng District, highlighting local culture of the Grand Canal and poetic lifestyles. Attracting over 1,000 participants, the event shared stories of family values and social customs along the canal, and nearly 200 poems on the theme of the Great Canal collected from across the country.
Cities across China hold diverse cultural events to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
