China's modernization of traditional culture and its extension of visa-free policies are among the initiatives that have boosted cultural exchanges with other countries, according to Ronnie Lins, executive director of the Brazil-China Research and Business Center.
In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), the Brazilian scholar said that Chinese creators have explored modern interpretations of traditional culture and been recognized by consumers around the world, adding that video game Black Myth: Wukong and animated movie Ne Zha are two prominent examples.
Launched in August 2024, Black Myth: Wukong, which is inspired by the ancient Chinese tale "Journey to the West", became an instant global sensation, selling over 10 million copies across all platforms within three days.
"Ne Zha 2" -- a modern reinterpretation of a mythological rebel -- raged its way to a staggering 15.4 billion yuan on the Chinese mainland alone in 2025, and to 2.2 billion U.S. dollars globally, becoming the world's top-grossing animated feature.
"The international reach of productions such as Black Myth: Wukong and Ne Zha showed that traditional Chinese culture can engage with the world in a contemporary way. When creators recreated it through games, animation and digital platforms, it becomes accessible, dynamic and especially applying to the young generation. These formats prove effective, because they rely on visual languages, storytelling and emotion, with universal elements that facilitate cultural understanding," said Lins.
In addition to integrating modernity into traditional culture, granting visa-free policy to nationals of an increasing number of countries also helps boost cultural exchanges, according to the Brazilian scholar.
To date, China has granted unilateral visa exemption to 50 countries and made mutual visa-free entry arrangements with 29 countries, said a foreign ministry spokeswoman on social media platform on Sunday.
"It goes beyond promoting tourism and represents a concrete commitment to openness and dialogue among people. By facilitating the movement of students, entrepreneurs, and visitors, China encourages direct human interaction that helps reduce stereotypes and misunderstandings. This closer engagement strengthens cultural exchange and contributes to more balanced international relations grounded in the real experience and mutual respect," Lins said.
China's cultural modernization, visa-free access promote civilizations' mutual learning: Brazilian scholar
At least four people were killed, and ten others injured after Israel attacked a hotel in the Lebanese capital Beirut early on Sunday, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said.
Israeli forces launched a drone attack at dawn, targeting a room at the Ramada hotel in the heart of the city. Following the strike, Israel said that the targets were key commanders of the Lebanon Corps of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force.
The drone attack was the first Israeli attack on central Beirut since hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah resumed, according to media reports.
The Ramada Hotel is located in Beirut's Raouche area, a popular tourist district near the landmark Pigeon Rocks along the Mediterranean coast.
All the windows in the targeted hotel room were shattered, and several adjacent rooms and the exterior facade of the hotel building were also damaged by the airstrike, according to a China Media Group reporter at the scene.
Witnesses said the area had been considered safe, and many displaced people fleeing southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut had taken refuge here, with some staying in hotels and others sleeping in their cars along nearby roads.
"At night, it was quiet until 1:35; there were no sounds of drones or anything at all. Suddenly, we heard something like a shell—very loud. We thought it was a warplane bombing in the area. We ran and saw smoke coming from the hotel, and glass was scattered in the streets. There was black smoke and dust. We ran to the Ramada hotel on the fourth floor, where flames were coming out. People began to exit, ambulances and information branch personnel arrived, and crowds formed," said Shawki Sharifi, an eyewitness.
Another eyewitness said the area was blocked after the attack, and the injured were taken to hospitals for treatment. Authorities said that there were fatalities at the scene.
On Sunday evening, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement, saying that the Israeli Navy carried out a precision strike on Beirut, targeting five senior commanders of Iran's IRGC Quds Force who were meeting at a hotel in the city.
The IDF said that the five commanders, "hiding in a civilian hotel," were all killed in the operation. The commanders had served in the Lebanese and Palestinian branches of IRGC and were involved in providing funding and intelligence to Hezbollah and Hamas, the IDF said in the statement.
The Lebanese authorities have not provided more details about the victims or the incident.
At least 4 killed, 10 injured in Israeli strike on hotel in Beirut
