China News Service, Shanghai, November 7. Title: The China International Import Expo builds a "bridge of integration": diverse civilizations "encounter" across mountains and seas
China News Service reporter Wang Ji
In the National Comprehensive Exhibition Hall of the 9th China International Import Expo, 71-year-old Presnova Tatiana from Russia was surrounded by a circle of young spectators. The Mikhailov region's world-famous colorful lace technique "flowed" between her fingers, and before long, a piece of brightly colored handmade fabric appeared in front of everyone.
Presnova Tatyana has "kept" this skill for 57 years. This time at the CIIE booth, in addition to handmade fabrics such as lace tablecloths, she also brought a Russian tumbler that incorporated Chinese elements such as pandas and bamboo. “Russia and China both have good heritage in cultural heritage, and I hope to keep the warmth of Russian folk crafts in the CIIE venue.”
On November 6, Russian craftsman Presnova Tatiana demonstrated her colorful lacework skills at the 9th China International Import Expo. Photo by China News Service reporter Wang Ji
Su Pu, an international student volunteer from Turkmenistan, wearing the iconic sheepskin hat, was busy introducing Turkmenistan's handmade carpets to Chinese buyers. "Turkmenistan's carpets have a long history. Craftsmen 'write' our national cultural memory on the carpets. Each region has its own unique patterns."
The finely intertwined warp and weft threads tie together Turkmenistan’s ancient tapestry tradition, and lead to lively cross-cultural dialogue at the CIIE. Su Pu noticed that carpets are not a household necessity in China, but in his hometown, carpets are the core carrier of life for every household. After entering the house, people will take off their shoes and directly step on the carpet to live and entertain guests. "The cross-cultural exchange scene set up by the CIIE provides a new perspective for the market expansion of our handicrafts and the external dissemination of traditional skills."
On November 6, in the National Comprehensive Exhibition Hall of the 9th China International Import Expo, visitors tasted local specialty tea at the Sri Lankan National Pavilion. Photo by China News Service reporter Kang Yuzhan
A few steps away, at the Sri Lanka National Pavilion, the rising steam of Ceylon black tea is filled with opportunities for cooperation in the new year. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, told China News Service that the CIIE provides an excellent platform to further deepen bilateral trade relations between Sri Lanka and China. Ceylon black tea, gemstones and jewelry and other specialty products from Sri Lanka have received a lot of attention at this exhibition. "Sri Lanka and China have deep cultural ties, and cultural exchanges can help deepen mutual understanding and promote trade growth. We also look forward to using the CIIE platform to establish good trade relations with more countries."
In the "Charming Sister Cities" exhibition area of the joint exhibition between Chongqing, China and Jalalabad, Kyrgyzstan, a cup of honey cinnamon coffee can taste the taste of both cities. Hu Qingpeng, executive director of the Kyrgyzstan-China (Chongqing) Economic and Trade Cooperation Center, said in an interview with a reporter from China News Service that Jalalabad has honey, handmade soap and other specialty products, and Chongqing can provide automobiles, new energy batteries and other industrial products needed for the construction of Jalalabad. The two cities are linked by railways and have a highly complementary relationship. "We are promoting the two sides to establish sister cities. This joint exhibition is also a presentation of results. We hope that the trade between the two sides can be further deepened."
From cultural dialogue on handicrafts, to trade connections for cooperation orders, to two-way travel between cities... the "bridge of integration" set up by the CIIE continues to extend in the "encounter" of different civilizations across mountains and seas, and in the "four-leaf clover" on the coast of the East China Sea, it injects fresh vitality into global economy and trade. (over)
