CICG publisher hosts cultural event for US students and Chinese elders

Sinolingua Press, a publisher under China International Communications Group, hosted a community cultural event in Beijing on March 31 that brought together 20 teachers and students from the United Nations International School and over 10 elderly Chinese residents of Maizidian subdistrict. Through an intangible cultural heritage workshop, participants experienced traditional Chinese culture up close and collaborated on creative activities, injecting youthful energy and warmth into Sino-U.S. people-to-people exchanges.

The community cultural event gathers 20 American teachers and students and over 10 elderly Chinese residents in Maizidian subdistrict, Beijing, March 31, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Shahbaz Khan, director and representative to the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, delivers a welcome speech at the community cultural event in Maizidian subdistrict, Beijing, March 31, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Shahbaz Khan, director and representative to the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, said in his welcome speech that this was not merely a community visit, but a lively cultural experience and a true example of learning by doing. It aligns closely with UNESCO's mission of promoting intercultural and intergenerational dialogues. He encouraged the students to share this experience with their classmates and families, and take on the role of cultural ambassadors.

Following a brief icebreaker session featuring ancient Chinese poetry, the participants learned to identify the unique appearances and medicinal properties of various Chinese herbs under the guidance of senior traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in the community and worked together to make traditional sachets.

Later, under the instruction of an intangible cultural heritage inheritor, the students and elderly residents together created panda clay artworks.

Participants create panda clay artworks at the intangible cultural heritage workshop in Maizidian subdistrict, Beijing, March 31, 2026. [Photo/CICG]