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When trade exchange meets traditional culture

Writer: Chen Siqi  |  Editor: Zhang Zhiqing  |  From: Original  |  Updated: 2024-09-13


Video and photos by Lin Jianping

A group of foreign diplomats and businesspeople gathered for a special trade exchange meeting held at the Sky Museum in the Shenzhen Media Group Financial Center in Futian District on Thursday. Attendees were also introduced to the art of the ancient Chinese instrument, the guqin.

Participants of a trade exchange meeting admire a guqin, an ancient seven-string instrument from China, on display at the Sky Museum in the Shenzhen Media Group Financial Center in Futian District on Thursday. 

Organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shenzhen Municipal Committee (CCPIT Shenzhen) under the theme "Moon Shine in Shenzhen, Friendship Links the World," the event attracted more than 100 participants from 27 countries, including representatives from 60 consulates general in Guangzhou, foreign chambers of commerce in China, and foreign enterprises in Shenzhen.

Participants enjoy a live performance during the event.

During the event, measures to attract foreign enterprises to invest in Shenzhen and initiatives to develop foreign trade were introduced. CCPIT Shenzhen also released a proposal to establish a regular working mechanism between CCPIT Shenzhen and foreign embassies, consulates, and chambers of commerce in China. 

An opera singer gives a Kunqu performance at the event.

Yang Haobo, a representative of CCPIT Shenzhen, announced the proposal and expressed the hope that it would strengthen the relationship between CCPIT Shenzhen, consulates general, and chambers of commerce. The aim is to enhance their role in connecting Shenzhen’s enterprises and institutions with economic trade, promoting economic cooperation, and providing accurate and solid support to both Shenzhen and foreign-invested companies. 

Yang Haobo, a representative of CCPIT Shenzhen, speaks at the event. 

“It’s very interesting to learn more about this new mechanism (released by CCPIT Shenzhen), because I believe it provides both Chinese and foreign institutional parties with a solid framework for communication and cooperation, especially for the exchange of information,” said Alessandro Petrini, a board member of the South China Chapter of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce. He noted that collaboration between Shenzhen and Italy has been quite active, and he foresees deeper business exchanges in the future.

A performer plays the traditional Chinese guqin in the Shenzhen Media Group Financial Center in Futian District on Thursday.

After the meeting, attendees were guided to the Exhibition of Famous Ancient Chinese Qins, where they admired a selection of exquisite ancient guqins, a plucked seven-string instrument created in ancient China with over 3,000 years of history.

The enchanting sounds of live guqin performances captivated the audience, who responded with enthusiastic applause.

“Guqin is very special. When I saw the process of making a guqin, I was told that it takes a long time. That shows the skill and dedication required,” said Imran Muhammad, Commercial Counsellor at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Guangzhou.

He praised the combination of economic and cultural exchanges, saying, “When people engage in cultural exchanges, they get to know each other. Then, they discover the potential for mutual cooperation.” 

Participants of a trade exchange meeting admire a guqin, an ancient seven-string instrument from China, on display at the Sky Museum in the Shenzhen Media Group Financial Center in Futian District on Thursday.

​A group of foreign diplomats and businesspeople gathered for a special trade exchange meeting held at the Sky Museum in the Shenzhen Media Group Financial Center in Futian District on Thursday.