Thirteen diplomats from nine countries and institutions are visiting east China's Shandong Province, birthplace of Confucius, to better experience the richness of Chinese culture.
With envoys from countries including Turkmenistan, Costa Rica and Nepal, the trip to Shandong marks the first stop of the 2024 "Discover China Cultural Tour" for diplomats in China.
At the Taishan Mountain scenic area in Tai'an City, the diplomats ascended to the summit of the mountain and visited landmarks such as the Nantian Gate, Tianjie Street and Yuhuang Peak, while learning about the deep-rooted cultural history surrounding the mountain.
The Taishan Mountain was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987, the first ever in China, due to the interconnection between its natural and cultural values.
In Qufu City, the birthplace of ancient Chinese sage Confucius, the envoys visited the Confucius Temple and the Kong family mansion to experience the charm of Confucian culture.
Confucius (551 BC-479 BC), or Kong Zi, an educator and thinker of ancient China, has influenced countless generations of Chinese society.
"I feel amazing. Confucius is a great teacher, and we respect this civilization [so] much. We love the country. I love the people. Everything is beautiful," said Naeli Mohamed Abdul Latif, Director Assistant of the Representative Office in China under the League of Arab States.
The delegates also enjoyed blossoming peony flowers, experienced aspects of the country's intangible cultural heritage and tried on traditional Chinese costumes.
"This is going to be a very good place for us to come again and see and we can tell our friends to visit and see and enjoy the hospitality of the Shandong people. And of course, tourism is a very good opportunity to enlarge the cooperation, especially in the humanitarian area and especially in the human-to-human contact. And as we are looking to the future it means that we are looking for our youth. We would like our youth to get more connected and learn more from each other," said Parahat Durdyev, Turkmenistan's Ambassador to China.
The tour coincided with an array of events promoting tourism and culture in the province, including themed photo exhibitions and cultural and tourism product exhibitions.
Next, the diplomats will continue their visit to other cities in Shandong to immerse themselves in the local culture.
Diplomats to China visit Confucius' hometown, explore local culture
A growing number of French companies consider China an important part for their growth, as highlighted by their increased investment in the Chinese market over the years, said Gary Rosen, CEO of AccorHotels Greater China, during an interview on Monday.
Covering massive business operations in the Greater China region for a French multinational company, Rosen has witnessed the close cooperation between China and France in the tourism and hospitality sector. French companies are increasing their direct foreign investment in China, as cooperation between the two countries have brought unexpected benefits, said Rosen during a program aired on China Global Television Network (CGTN).
"I think the starting point really is -- you see how the two countries work together and they really make an effort to work together, and that comes alive in the business community. Whether you look at different sectors, the growth for both companies, and especially that foreign direct investment into China, you wouldn't have that if you didn't have such strong ties over the last 60 years. And certainly, those are going to continue moving forward. And this trust that has been built between a French company and multiple Chinese companies to make a much wider proposition and growing the hospitality sector in China, that couldn't be done if you didn't have great relations and diplomatic relations, and the recognition by the two countries and the governments of two countries. Many French companies [are] recognizing that China is an important part of their growth around the world. But recognition-the role the Chinese guest and consumer plays as we were talking earlier. The future is a bright one, the strength of the relationship only makes it that much brighter. And I think we've entered a recognition that when you look at these two countries together, you have a 'one plus one equals 10' outcome," he said.
Rosen highlighted the robust growth of AccorHotels in the Greater China region, adding that it is a testament of how the Chinese market has enormous opportunities in store. "There's volume growth and then there's growth where you have to learn and be able to also nurture your own brand's growth. And that's particularly why in this area we focus, particularly when you think about premium and luxury, we have that growth and there's never been for us so much growth and opportunity. We are having records breaking years. In 2022 we had a record-breaking year in terms of new-signings, signings of new hotels. 2023 broke 2022 record. We have signed close to 150 new hotels in 2023 that will open over the course in the next few years. That's significant growth that has put us at the front in terms of global hospitality for players here in China," he said.
As this year serves a year of culture and tourism between the two countries, Rosen expressed confidence in boosting culture and tourism exchanges between the two sides.
With beautiful landmarks, shopping, special food, and with the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the CEO believes that France will see more and more Chinese tourists in the near future. He also expressed confidence in Chinese tourism market, which has been on a positive trajectory overall.
"[I'm] very comfortable to say that China is still seen to be by 2035, to be the largest global tourism market in the world. If you look at what the McKinsey's, what the 'big five' [consultancies] are talking about. They're all still in that position and that's a great place to be," he said.
Chinese market plays pivotal role in spurring growth of French companies: business executive
