Foreign merchants attending Canton Fair enjoy Guangzhou's orchids, traditional culture

Foreign merchants attending the 137th Canton Fair had the chance to enjoy beautiful orchids and experience elements of traditional Chinese culture on Thursday.

The China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, kicked off on Tuesday in Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province with the number of export exhibitors exceeding 30,000 for the first time in the history of the world-famous event.

Aside from finding business opportunities, the event is also a good chance for foreign merchants to learn about the beauty of China.

During their visit, they toured the Canton Orchid Garden in Guangzhou, known as "the kingdom of orchid" for its collection of nearly 20,000 pots featuring more than 100 varieties.

"The Canton Fair is not only a major event for commerce, but also a grand gathering for cultural exchange. We've invited participants of Canton Fair to enjoy the oriental aesthetics at the Orchid Garden, hoping our excellent traditional Chinese culture can go global via international exchanges," said Zhang Rong, curator of Yuexiu District's Cultural Center.

Also in their tour, overseas merchants also experienced the joys of traditional Chinese musical instruments, paintings and handcrafts.

"I think Guangzhou is a really nice city. When I come to China, I want to learn more about Chinese culture and Chinese stories. I have access to those here. I really like it," said a French purchaser.

Foreign merchants attending Canton Fair enjoy Guangzhou's orchids, traditional culture

Ballet "A Dream of the Red Mansion", an original production by the National Ballet of China, took the stage in Singapore this week, bringing one of China's most famous literary works to Singaporean audiences.

Performed at the Esplanade from Thursday to Sunday, the show was supported by the Chinese Embassy in Singapore and organized by the China Enterprises Association (Singapore). It follows a tour in Bangkok, Thailand, marking the troupe's second overseas stop.

The ballet tells the story of Jia Baoyu through the language of choreography, delving into his innermost emotions and weaving together iconic scenes from the classic novel by Chinese writer Cao Xueqin to depict the grandeur and decline of the Grand View Garden.

Chinese Ambassador Cao Zhongming said the ballet interprets classic literature from the contemporary perspective, and blends classical ballet vocabulary with Chinese choreographic aesthetics, showing that the Chinese culture is both historical and contemporary, belonging to the Chinese nation and to the whole world as well.

Chinese ballet "A Dream of the Red Mansion" debuts in Singapore