On May 12, a new media program named "Discovering China – Guangzhou" under the brand of "Chinese Language Stars," jointly organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and China Media Group Mobile, was officially launched. Four overseas guests were invited to participate in the program. By visiting Zhuangyuanfang Costume Factory and the Innovation Bay in Guangzhou's Nansha District, they experienced different professions to appreciate the diversity and inclusiveness of Lingnan culture. Guangzhou is a vivid example of the historic achievements, changes and transition to high quality in China's economic and social development in the new era, and it's a place where historical and creative cultures are intertwined. As a vibrant city brimming with opportunity, Guangzhou attracts a whole host of international talent.

New concepts revive the brilliance of intangible cultural heritage 

"Hello, I'm here to model traditional theatrical costumes." "And I'm here to explore intangible cultural heritage projects," That's how Minh Hoa Piron from the United States and Jacopo Maria Lasala from Italy introduced themselves as they visited Zhuangyuanfang Costume Factory together, where He Fengting, the inheritor of traditional embroidery techniques used in theatrical costumes, passionately explained the history, production processes and roles of costume embroidery – and offered her guests the chance to personally experience embroidery. Minh Hoa Piron was amazed by the embroidery techniques that she said were far more complex than she had ever imagined. They then wore the costumes to visit the Cantonese Opera Museum and gain a deeper understanding of Lingnan culture through Cantonese Opera. Jacopo Maria Lasala said that the inheritance of traditional embroidery work in theatrical costumes is not only the inheritance of technical skills, but also the inheritance of culture. He Fengting pointed out that the most pressing problem was about encouraging more young people to develop a passion for the craft and continue its inheritance. In order to combine embroidery with modern aesthetics, the factory owner has been combining traditional embroidery techniques with a popular range of dolls, to integrate the concept of “activating intangible cultural heritage through innovation and cultural inheritance” into embroidery. Her aim is to revitalize the craft by making it more accessible to the public, promote the creative transformation of intangible cultural heritage and improve its relevance by making it a fashionable part of modern life.

Coordinated development of the Greater Bay Area for a better future 

Based on unique historical and cultural traditions, policies and other factors, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has gradually become a meeting point for new and international innovative talents in the Asia-Pacific region. Han Maoyu from Nigeria chatted with the brand entrepreneur Li Weijie from a fashion start-up company about creating a new fashion brand, creative branding concepts, his reasons for setting up in the Innovation Bay and his future plans for development. Li Weijie explained how the new China-chic fashion trend was a reflection of how Chinese cultural genres were influencing contemporary lifestyles. As social products, new China-chic brands can provide an emotional connection and spiritual sharing between brand owners and consumers – and also among consumers – and connect with the world through their designer products. Han Maoyu said he is also looking forward to seeing more international products from the brand.

Zhang Ruimo from Mexico visited Hong Kong and Macao Youth Wule Service Center to learn about relevant entrepreneurship support policies, talent programs and future plans from Director Sun Hongrui – who showcased the geographical and trade advantages and the manufacturing strengths of the Innovation Bay. The organization not only helps brands to set up, but also provides many support mechanisms. The platform allows companies to quickly connect with the market to achieve transformation, boost institutional and physical connectivity, leverage the core engine of the Greater Bay Area and achieve high-quality development.

The four guests chose different professions to experience the inheritance and innovation of intangible cultural heritage in the field of embroidery, as well to explore the development opportunities of the Greater Bay Area. Using its new development platform to implement new concepts, Guangzhou is continuing to strengthen its industrial links with other cities across the Greater Bay Area. Guangzhou is a miniature image of Chinese modernization – an opportunity for cooperation that will inevitably open up unlimited possibilities and pursue the global trend for creative collaboration and win-win cooperation.