Quanzhou shines at the Sino-French Cultural Forum!

Quanzhou shines at the Sino-French Cultural Forum!

Beijing (ots/PRNewswire)

At the exciting 6th China-French Cultural Forum, Quanzhou, a sparkling jewel on the east coast of China, has taken the stage! Mayor Cai Zhansheng on Thursday proudly presented the city and its impressive history, which is deeply rooted in ancient trade routes.

UNESCO describes Quanzhou as the cradle of the maritime Silk Road and once described it as the “largest port in the East”. Today the city is a vibrant center of private industry with a thriving sector in porcelain, tea, textiles, clothing and footwear. Quanzhou leads China's porcelain exports - products reach an impressive 190 countries worldwide! A true national treasure, Tieguanyin tea has been recognized as an important agricultural heritage by the FAO and UNESCO.

Quanzhou: The Cultural Center of the World

Quanzhou, a melting pot of cultures, has a multicultural history. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, a third of the city's population was of foreign origin. This brought with it a unique diversity, known to this day as the “Museum of World Religions,” where Buddhism, Islam and other faiths coexist peacefully. In 2021, Quanzhou was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List and hailed as an “emporium of the world”.

The ties between Quanzhou and France are strong. In 2010, an official town partnership with Hérault was established, paving the way for intensive exchange. Since the first meeting of the Cultural Forum in 2016, Quanzhou has led the international porcelain art competition “Blanc de Chine” every two years. In 2024, both countries will celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations and a specially dedicated year for culture and tourism. Quanzhou's traditional costumes were recently presented at the China-France Fashion Week 2024 and caused quite a stir!