Beijing, Dec. 30, 2025 — Young people from China and around the world gathered in Beijing’s historic Dongcheng district this week for a cultural exchange program that combined heritage tours, hands-on experiences and open dialogue on the role of culture in modern cities.
The event, part of the “Miles of Reading: Chinese and Foreign Youth Dialogue” initiative, was organized by the Contemporary World Publishing House under the International Department of the Communist Party of China, with support from the Dongcheng District Committee of the CPC. It brought together diplomats from more than 10 countries, including Pakistan, the Bahamas and Ethiopia, along with international students from Italy, South Korea and Canada, and dozens of Chinese and foreign journalists.
Over the course of the day, participants traced Dongcheng’s centuries-old cultural roots while examining how the district is adapting to new economic and social realities.
The first stop was the Longfu Temple Cultural and Creative Park, a former religious and commercial hub that has been transformed into a mixed-use space blending traditional brands with contemporary design. Visitors toured businesses such as Daoxiangcun, a historic Beijing pastry brand, and Tongrentang’s health and wellness concept store, before taking in panoramic views of the city from the complex’s rooftop.
“On-site visits are the best way to understand how Beijing balances cultural preservation with innovation,” said Lü Hui, vice-president of the Contemporary World Publishing House.
The group later visited the Bell and Drum Towers, landmarks along Beijing’s central axis, where they attended the exhibition Stories of Time and watched a traditional drum performance that reinterprets ancient timekeeping practices for modern audiences.
At the Beijing Enamel Factory, famous for cloisonné — a national-level intangible cultural heritage craft — guests observed artisans at work and learned about the meticulous techniques behind the centuries-old art form, known as one of the “Eight Great Crafts of Yanjing.”
A roundtable discussion followed, bringing together diplomats, foreign media representatives, students, Chinese officials, scholars and master artisans. Opening the session, Li Shuangwu, president of the Contemporary World Publishing House, said the initiative aims to foster shared understanding through dialogue, cultural exchange and youth engagement.
Discussions ranged from traditional New Year customs across cultures to the role of cultural exchange in strengthening international understanding. Participants broadly agreed that people-to-people exchanges are increasingly important in a globalized world marked by uncertainty.
Mansoor Ali Memon, press counsellor at the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing, said more than 20 Pakistani students took part in the event, calling it a valuable opportunity for young people to better understand Beijing and deepen China-Pakistan youth ties.
Zhong Liansheng, a master of Chinese arts and a national inheritor of cloisonné craftsmanship, noted that the art form has often been used as a state gift to foreign dignitaries, serving as a cultural bridge in China’s diplomacy.
Eugenio, an Italian doctoral student at Peking University, reflected on the shared meaning of the New Year across cultures. “Fireworks may look different in each country, but the hope they represent is universal,” he said, expressing a wish for peace and greater mutual understanding in the year ahead.
As an extension of the program, a public exhibition titled “Connecting the World, Welcoming the New Year” opened at the Beijing Enamel Factory on Dec. 30 and 31. The exhibition features intangible cultural heritage works from China and abroad, bilingual displays, live demonstrations by artisans and interactive experiences for visitors. Several embassies also showcased traditional crafts and products from their home countries.
According to organizers, the “Miles of Reading” initiative has hosted more than a dozen events in China and abroad, using site visits, reading salons and youth forums to present a multifaceted view of China to international audiences.
By combining immersive tours, dialogue and public exhibitions, the Dongcheng event highlighted how cultural heritage can coexist with urban renewal — and how youth exchanges can help build bridges of understanding at the close of the year.
