Village soccer match, ethnic cultures make up memorable trip for foreign diplomats

Diplomats from 15 countries jointly embarked on a trip on September 26-30 to southwest China's mountainous Guizhou Province, where they played local villagers in a friendly soccer match and had the chance to immerse themselves in the charm of cultures in the multi-ethnic region.

The free-wheeling soccer match took place in Rongjiang County on the evening of Sept. 28. It pitted a team of envoys from 12 nations such as Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico and Cuba against a team of amateur rural footballers of the Village Super League, nicknamed "Cunchao" which has become a sensation over the past two years in China for its electric, festival-like atmosphere and unique ethnic performances.

The soccer game was part of the activities jointly sponsored this year by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Argentine Embassy in China, which take foreign diplomats on tours across Guizhou, one of China's most ethnically diverse regions.

"This game is really amazing, and I feel so thrilled. I come from the Caribbean nation of Grenada, which is small but beautiful," said Ian Marshall, Grenada's ambassador to China, at the spectators stand on the sidelines of the soccer match.

"It's my first time here in Rongjiang, first time in Guizhou. We are here because we were invited by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to witness firsthand this fascinating Cunchao, and we are so happy to be here today and being part of this magnificent event that gathers thousands of people that all share the same passion for sports, particularly for football," said Marcelo Gabriel Suarez Salvia, Argentina's ambassador to China.

For the rest of their trip, the diplomats visited a village in Rongjiang, where they learned about the architectural beauty of houses built and inhabited by people of the Dong ethnic minority group, joined the locals in folk dancing, experienced their traditional cultural heritage, and explored the idyllic charm of the village tucked away in the mountains.

"The natural scenery of Guizhou is really breathtaking, and I love the friendly people here very much. I have been in a great mood in Guizhou," said Sergio Fausto Cabrera Cardenas, Colombia's ambassador to China.

Village soccer match, ethnic cultures make up memorable trip for foreign diplomats

Chinese research icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, has sailed more than 10,000 nautical miles since it departed for China's 41st Antarctic expedition on November 1, completing one third of the planned voyage.

The 41st Antarctic expedition set sail from Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong in south China on Nov. 1, and the whole mission will take nearly seven months.

The expedition team is composed of more than 460 people and three ships, including research icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2, and cargo vessel Yongsheng.

Xuelong and Xuelong 2 arrived at China's Zhongshan Station in Antarctica on Nov. 28 and unloaded there.

Xuelong 2 left the Zhongshan Station for the Qinling Station on Dec 11 and met with cargo vessel Yongsheng on Dec 21.

"Since we officially departed from Guangzhou on Nov 1, we have sailed through the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea near the Philippines, the Lombok Strait before we sailed on the Indian Ocean. After crossing the westerlies, we arrived at the Zhongshan Station and completed the first stage of the mission. Then we sailed eastward along the Antarctic continent and have now arrived at the Ross Sea where the Qinling Station is located," said Xiao Zhimin, captain of Xuelong 2.

Xuelong 2 and Yongsheng arrived at the Qinling Station on Dec. 25.

The Zhongshan Station, set up on Feb. 26, 1989, is located in the Larsemann Hills in East Antarctica with a total area of 378 hectares.

As the second Chinese scientific research base in Antarctica, the Zhongshan Station serves as a key hub for inland expeditions and supports research in meteorological observation, oceanography, geology, and other fields.

The Qinling Station is China's fifth research station in the continent. It started operation on Feb. 7, 2024.

Apart from investigating the impact of climate change on the Antarctic ecosystem and conducting international research and logistics cooperation, the 41st Antarctic expedition will build the supporting infrastructure for the Qinling Station.

Xuelong 2 sails 10,000 nautical miles on current Antarctic expedition