Beijing witnessed a paw-some event over the past weekend, with the well-groomed pets and their owners from across the city strutting the catwalk in style.
The Langyuan Station Cultural Center in Beijing's Chaoyang District held the unconventional fashion event, replete with wagging tails and purring companions. At this show, it's clear that dogs are no longer just man's best friend -- they are also fashion icons in their own right.
Pet owners in the capital city gathered to showcase their furry friends' flair for fashion.
"This is Fafa. He's a two-year-old Bichon Frise. We are wearing matching outfits today. The reason why we are here for the fashion show is because I want Fafa to have more public exposure. He has about 1,000 followers on social media now," said Rong Yixiang, a participant at the show.
"My puppy is a seven-month-old black and white poodle named Duidui. We're here for the fashion show because I want to spend more quality time with him. I also hope that participating in events like this will help him socialize better with humans," said Wang Di, a dog caregiver.
"My pet is an eight-month-old meerkat. It's called Naiping. Coming to this fashion today, I hope to let more people know about meerkats as pets. Our outfit theme for today is black, a timeless, classic color," said Guo Jiamo, another pet owner.
The organizer said the idea for this fascinating event was to allow pet owners to share the love for their furry companions in a fun and fashionable way.
"I am the leader of a small-breed dog group in Beijing. Our group primarily consists of Yorkies, Malteses, and Shih Tzus. I organized this event for dog owners so we can celebrate the transition from spring to summer in style," said Zoey, the event organizer.
Through every twirl on the runway and every playful paw-step, each furry friend turned heads and melted hearts along the way. This pet fashion was a true celebration of the special relationship humans have with their four-legged friends.
Beijing’s pet-owner duos rule fashion runway
Beijing’s pet-owner duos rule fashion runway
On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.
Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.
In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.
"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.
"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.
He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.
"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.
Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth
