Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) Recently, the 2024 "A Life Called Yunnan: Shangri-La of the World" series of cultural exchange activities, the Paris Fashion Week - China Chuxiong Intangible Cultural Heritage Costume Fashion Exhibition, and the 2024 Forum on Promoting Global Ecological Civilization Construction (Erhai Lake) (European Side Event) were held in Los Angeles, USA; Paris, France; and Geneva, Switzerland, respectively. Yunnan's unique resources, scenery, ecology, ethnic groups, and culture were showcased and shone brightly overseas, attracting attention from all sectors of society and receiving significant media coverage.
The "A Life Called Yunnan: Shangri-La of the World" series of cultural exchange activities, hosted by the Information Office of the Yunnan Provincial People's Government and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Yunnan Provincial People's Government, featured a rich array of activities, including art exchanges, cultural tourism promotions, the "Flying Tigers Return, One Family" photo exhibition, and a thematic exchange and discussion forum on "Flying Tigers and Camel Culture." Following the events, the American public and guests from the cultural, tourism, and artistic fields responded enthusiastically, expressing deep impressions of "A Life Called Yunnan" and conveying their desire to travel, cooperate, and invest in Yunnan.
“Give me a glass of Shangri-La red wine.” Jia Lanhui, granddaughter of General Chennault and curator of the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum, who came specifically to attend the “Secret Realm” themed wine tasting event, said that Yunnan always evokes a sense of enduring romance. American painter Emily recalled her experience traveling and sketching in Yunnan last year and engaging in lively exchanges with local artists. She said, “Everyone I met in China was very friendly and sincerely hoped that China and the United States would maintain friendly relations. I believe that cultural exchange activities like this are a good way to strengthen relations between the two countries.”
China Global Television Network (CGTN), Xinhua News Agency, Xinhua Net, China Daily, and several local media outlets in Los Angeles sent reporters to cover the event. They all agreed that this series of events was of great significance, not only “opening a window” for the American public to understand and experience Yunnan, but also continuing the traditional friendship between the two regions through cultural exchanges, promoting people-to-people exchanges through tourism cooperation, and “building a bridge” for friendship between the people of China and the United States.
In Europe, Chuxiong Yi embroidery made its debut at Paris Fashion Week, attracting nearly 100 participants, including representatives from the Chinese Embassy in France, UNESCO, the French Ministry of Culture, the French Fashion Federation, the French Bridge Think Tank, and the co-founder of Cartier International, as well as representatives from the Chinese and French fashion and art circles, businesses, and media. The event showcased 35 outfits from three series—"Echoes of the Ancient Times," "Historical Brocade," and "Echoes of the Modern Times"—carefully designed by institutions such as the Yunnan Arts University. The captivating fashion show received high praise from both Chinese and international guests.
After watching the show, Anne-Marie Salguier, President of the French Design Association, stated that Chuxiong Yi embroidery clothing demonstrated an organic fusion of traditional culture and modern art. "The pursuit of the roots of culture and civilization is a value consistently recognized and pursued by the global fashion industry. The French Design Association is willing to actively promote exchanges and mutual learning with Chuxiong Yi embroidery and other different civilizations."
Media outlets such as the *French Overseas Chinese Daily*, *European Times*, and European Chinese Radio actively covered the fashion show, comprehensively showcasing its highlights through traditional and social media. The report stated, "Chuxiong Yi embroidery is a successful exploration of the integration of traditional Chinese ethnic culture and modern fashion. With its unique cultural charm and artistic value, it attracts the attention of the global fashion industry. This fashion exhibition promotes intangible cultural heritage and diverse ethnic cultures through the story of Chinese Yi embroidery, contributing to the continued advancement of cultural exchanges between China and France, and between China and Europe." Domestically, CCTV's News Channel's "News Live" reported on the event, and other central media outlets continued to focus on its achievements and impact.
On September 24th, the 2024 Global Ecological Civilization Construction (Erhai Lake) Forum (European Side Event) was held in Geneva, Switzerland. At the forum, in addition to in-depth exchanges on the theme of "Strengthening Lake Governance and Building a Beautiful World," Chinese and foreign guests enjoyed the "A Life Called Yunnan" Dali-themed experience exhibition held during the event. The photographic works, promotional videos, and various local Dali intangible cultural heritage creative products such as tie-dye and clay sculptures attracted frequent attention.
“The European side event was an excellent platform for exchange. I learned about the approaches and experiences of Dali and the Lake Geneva management, which provided valuable insights for future work,” said Olivier Müller, Chief Operating Officer of the Swiss company Aqua Water Filtration. Nicola Galina, Secretary General of the International Committee for the Protection of Lake Geneva from Pollution, stated that we should work together to address new environmental challenges through pollution control, ecological restoration, the establishment of water quality monitoring systems, strengthened international cooperation, and encouragement of public participation. “Our Swiss-Chinese Association has been cooperating with Dali since 2002. Dali has left a deep impression on me; it's a place I would love to visit again,” said Diego Salmeron, Vice President of the Swiss-Chinese Association.
Participants unanimously agreed that in recent years, China has consistently been committed to jointly building a global ecological civilization and deeply participating in global environmental governance. The concept of “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” embodies Chinese wisdom and reflects profound thinking on developing human civilization and building a clean and beautiful world. It is worthy of sharing and learning from by all parties to jointly build green partnerships and promote global ecological civilization governance.
