"China in the eyes of diplomats: A tour in Fengtai" took place at China Chic Street in Changxindian, Fengtai district, Beijing on Feb 12 to coincide with Lantern Festival.

Nearly 200 diplomats and envoys from 67 countries, including Argentina, the Bahamas, Bulgaria and Cuba, along with representatives from three international media outlets and their families, gathered in Fengtai district to enjoy a China Chic fashion show, watch dragon dances, taste traditional yuanxiao (sweet rice dumplings), and appreciate opera performances.

The streets of Changxindian were lined with a variety of folk culture displays and food stalls, allowing diplomats to leisurely stroll through the area and admire traditional handicrafts.

The lively beats of drums accompanied the dragon dance performances, captivating both foreign guests and local residents. Traditional opera and face-changing performances drew large crowds, igniting the vibrant atmosphere of the ancient town.

At the EVE CINA Fashion and Art Center, local residents of Changxindian, dressed in traditional ethnic attire, highlighted the rich cultural heritage of this thousand-year-old town. EVE CINA’s haute couture showcased a seamless blend of traditional Chinese elements and contemporary international aesthetics.

Paulette Bethel, Bahamas ambassador to China, remarked that culture and cultural exchanges are essential tools for shaping foreign policy and building bridges of mutual understanding between people of different nations.

Experiencing the Lantern Festival in person for the first time, she found the event to be unique and impressive, from the dragon dance to the opera performances and the fashion show.

Ece Ceylanoğlu, the counselor of the Turkish Embassy in China, has been in China for only four months, and this is also her first time experiencing the Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival.

She said, "The Chinese New Year has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which elevates it beyond customs and social practices to a traditional cultural heritage that is passed down through generations."

She said she enjoyed all aspects of this event, but what impressed her the most was the fashion show. Residents of Changxindian of different generations participated, and Chinese and foreign children held hands and celebrated friendship together. Although they are not professional models, "I think they were very professional and performed excellently," she said.

The event was attended by Li Li, director-general of the Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions; Yu Junsheng, director of the Information Office of Beijing Municipality; Lei Xiaoning, deputy director of Foreign Affairs Office of People's Government of Beijing Municipality; and Wang Shaofeng, Party secretary of the Fengtai district.

It was hosted by the Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions, the Information Office of Beijing Municipality, Foreign Affairs Office of People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, and organized by People’s Government of Fengtai District Beijing.