Kite enthusiasts have been gathering in east China's Jiangsu Province to fly their favorite kites freely in the balmy spring air, adding a splash of color to the skies above a sports park in Lianyungang City.
The kites, which come in various shapes and sizes, ranging from huge, soaring dragons to a giant phoenix, are operated by team of skilled enthusiasts who fly them in formation, occasionally changing the patterns as they stage a spectacular overhead performance to the delight of onlookers.
"Team flying like this is usually done by a group of four to six people," said Qiu Tao, one of the passionate kite fliers.
The gathering also features several Nantong Banyao kites, which are popular across southern China. These large and flat kites with hexagonal frames emit a distinct sound when they fly, making them different to their northern counterparts. In 2006, Banyao kite-making techniques in Nantong, a city of Jiangsu, were listed as a national intangible cultural heritage item.
"What's unique about the Banyao kite is that it whistles while flying as it is equipped with whistles," said Hu Zhi, an inheritor of the Nantong Banyao kite-making practice.
There is also a family-friendly atmosphere at the event as parents took along their children to the park to enjoy the pleasant spring weather. Many youngsters even had the chance to fly kites they made on their own.
"I think this event not only just entertains our kids, but also allows them to take part in the activity themselves," said Su Yan, a local resident. The enthusiasm for kite-flying was not dimmed even as night fell, with the evening sky lit up by illuminated kites, which created a lively ambiance in the park well after dark.
Kites hit new heights as spring gets in full swing in east China’s Jiangsu
The year 2024 celebrates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, and it also heralds the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, a celebration aimed at bolstering cultural and people-to-people exchanges through a series of enriching events.
During a special episode focused on this milestone, cultural experts and influencers from both nations shared insights into the depth of Sino-French cultural interactions.
The discussion, livestreamed from Shanghai on April 22, began with a historical overview, notably when then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai introduced President Georges Pompidou to the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned Buddhist cave site in north China's Shanxi. These caves feature intricate carvings that reflect religious and cultural syntheses from the 5th and 6th centuries.
David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, commented on the geopolitical context of the initial outreach.
"People have to remember that we were in the middle of the Cold War, therefore, the world was divided. For a Western country like France to reach out to China, and of course vice versa, it's a beautiful moment, historical diplomatic breakthroughs, means that despite all the geopolitical difficulties, a spirit of cooperation and friendship can prevail," said Gosset.
Xie Dingwei, executive director of the Bund One Art Museum, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
"We need to preserve these cultural heritages. We not [just] preserve the sculptures or the buildings itself, but also, it gives us a chance to see hundreds of years ago, how our craftsmanship, our architecture, our human beings, we have reached [such] high levels, which brings us to the present time these treasures, these values. This is something we really cannot afford to lose. Culture is a common language; it doesn't matter you're Eastern art or Western art, somehow they can be connected. So this is something I think it creates a communication channel between the nations," said Xie.
The cultural connection was recently demonstrated during a meeting last April between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they enjoyed the performance of "Flowing Water" played on the Guqin by a Chinese artist, symbolizing the flowing friendship between the two nations.
"This communication on art subjects between the nations and different peoples are really, really important. It goes beyond politics, beyond the differences between the nations. But you all go to getting closer to understanding each other," said Xie.
Gosset also supported the notion of fostering unity through cultural platforms, aligning with President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future.
"I am completely aligned with this idea. We are on the same boat. Our world is frightened by too many divisions. And I think, what is important is to support the forces that can unite us, so it can be music, and certainly museums, and you need leaders with a vision that does not separate us," said Gosset.
Six decades of China-France diplomatic relations highlighted by cultural exchange
