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For many international learners of Chinese, the path to understanding the heart of Chinese culture rarely follows a straight line. For JongMay Urbonya, an American serving as an ambassador for the HSK Chinese Proficiency Test, that deep connection to China was unlocked through the concise, emotion-drenched lines of classical Chinese poetry. In a recent feature shared by China Daily, Urbonya opened up about her enduring love for this ancient literary art form, explaining how even the shortest poetic verses carry layers of profound feeling and timeless allure that resonate across cultural divides. A particular favorite of Urbonya’s is Li Qingzhao, the iconic Song Dynasty poet celebrated for her subtle, intimate explorations of love, loss, and everyday life. Urbonya notes that the delicate, deeply human emotions woven into Li’s works remain just as moving today as they were nearly a thousand years ago, holding power to touch readers regardless of their nationality or cultural background. For Urbonya, classical Chinese poetry is far more than just an academic subject or a language learning tool. It acts as a bridge that transcends the boundaries of time, cultural tradition, and national borders, offering her a uniquely intimate window into the values, perspectives, and soul of China. What began as a study of language has grown into a deeply personal connection to the country and its centuries-old cultural heritage, showing how art and literature can build unexpected bonds between people across the globe.

China has officially launched its annual national reading week, kicking off the 2026 initiative during the fifth National Conference on Reading held Monday in Nanchang, the capital city of East China’s Jiangxi province.

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee’s Publicity Department, was in attendance at the opening event and delivered a keynote address to assembled participants.

Event attendees united in a call for amplified action to popularize reading among all segments of the Chinese public and cultivate a pervasive, society-wide culture of regular reading. Stressing that reading forms the most foundational pillar of cultural advancement, participants emphasized that nationwide reading programs must be fully leveraged to support China’s broader national strategy to build itself into a leading global culture power.

In addition to promoting public engagement with reading, attendees called for strengthened investment, development and regulatory oversight of public reading infrastructure, including libraries, community reading spaces and other public resources that make accessible reading materials available to all citizens.

Running this week from Monday through Sunday, the 2026 National Reading Week will feature a diverse lineup of community and national events designed to reignite public passion for reading, spanning book fairs, author talks, reading clubs and youth engagement programs that reach across urban and rural communities to encourage people of all ages to pick up books and build regular reading habits.

On April 18, the skies above Weifang, the coastal city in East China’s Shandong province, filled with a dazzling array of colorful, innovative kites from every corner of the globe, marking the official opening of the 43rd Weifang International Kite Festival and 2026 Weifang Kite Carnival. Hosted at the city’s iconic World Kite Park, this year’s gathering drew nearly 260 dedicated kite teams hailing from 57 distinct countries and regions, turning the local event into a true global celebration of craft, connection, and shared passion.

Long recognized internationally as the “World Capital of Kites”, Weifang carries a kite-making legacy that stretches back more than two millennia. Generations of local artisans have honed and refined this traditional craft over centuries, passing down techniques that have elevated Weifang kites to a globally celebrated art form. What began as a centuries-old cultural practice has grown into a thriving modern economic driver for the region: the city’s entire kite industry now posts more than 2 billion yuan, equivalent to roughly $29.24 million, in annual sales, with Weifang-made kites exported to more than 50 markets across the world.

Beyond economic impact, the annual International Kite Festival has emerged as a powerful bridge connecting disparate cultures. Kite enthusiasts, master craftspeople, and hobbyists from around the world travel to Weifang each year to showcase their unique designs, exchange traditional techniques, and build cross-cultural connections that transcend geographic and political divides. For participants and attendees alike, the event highlights how a shared love of a simple, timeless pastime can bring global communities closer together, cementing Weifang’s reputation as a welcoming hub for international cultural exchange.

On the occasion of International Chinese Language Day 2026, industry experts and educational leaders gathered in Tianjin for a celebratory event, where they highlighted the growing global footprint of Chinese language education and its transformative role in fostering cross-cultural connection and opening new professional opportunities for international learners.

During the event, international participants got a hands-on chance to experience China’s centuries-old intangible cultural heritage, turning the celebration into an immersive cultural exchange rather than just a ceremonial gathering. As more people around the world choose to study Chinese, the language has evolved far beyond a communication tool to become a foundational link connecting young people across China and the rest of the world, experts noted.

Zhong Yinghua, president of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, emphasized that Chinese language proficiency acts as a critical key to unlocking access to an authentic, multidimensional portrait of modern China and the long-held philosophical wisdom of Eastern culture. ‘Too often, global audiences only see fragmented, one-sided narratives about China,’ Zhong explained. ‘Learning the language gives learners direct access to primary sources, local conversations and cultural contexts that allow them to build their own understanding of the country.’

He also highlighted the outsized impact of the well-known ‘Chinese Bridge’ competition series, a global program for Chinese language learners. Far more than a simple academic contest, Zhong noted, the initiative serves as a dynamic people-to-people exchange platform that places international students in immersive, real-world social environments across China. Through these on-the-ground experiences, participants gain nuanced, first-hand insight into contemporary Chinese society and culture that cannot be gained from textbooks alone.

Beyond cultural exchange, education leaders also pointed to the tangible professional benefits that Chinese language proficiency brings to international learners. As China continues to deepen economic and people-to-people ties with countries across the globe, demand for Chinese-speaking professionals has risen sharply across industries ranging from international trade and diplomacy to tourism and global education. For many young international students, adding Chinese to their skill set directly expands their career options and makes them more competitive in a globalized job market.

The Tianjin event, which brought together educators, students and cultural leaders from multiple countries, underscores the growing recognition of Chinese language education as a cornerstone of global cultural dialogue. As participation continues to grow year over year, the language is increasingly serving its role as a bridge of understanding between China and the world.

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China’s northern province of Shanxi has introduced a revised set of regulatory frameworks to strengthen protections and promote sustainable development of its rich intangible cultural heritage (ICH), authorities announced Wednesday at a press conference held in the provincial capital Taiyuan.

Comprising 36 articles, the updated policy enshrines a core guiding principle: “protection first, priority on rescue, rational utilization, and continuous inheritance and development.” The new rules mandate that all county-level and higher regional governments establish dedicated cross-departmental coordination mechanisms, reinforcing systemic support for the conservation of the province’s centuries-old cultural assets.

Shanxi first pioneered ICH protection legislation in China back in 2012, emerging as one of the first provincial-level administrations to roll out specialized local regulations for the sector. However, Wang Biao, deputy director of the education, science, culture, and health working committee of the Standing Committee of the Shanxi Provincial People’s Congress, noted that shifting economic and social landscapes have rendered the original regulatory framework outdated, unable to address the evolving demands of modern ICH preservation work. The 2026 revisions, he explained, codify the practical experience and progress accumulated across the province over the past 14 years, positioning Shanxi to develop into a vibrant, nationally recognized cultural tourism destination.

Sun Jiangang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Shanxi Provincial People’s Congress, added that the revised rules place targeted focus on protecting ICH projects that encapsulate Shanxi’s unique cultural identity, including regional operas, traditional folk songs and dances, and local culinary traditions that have been passed down through generations.

Zhang Zhiren, Party group member and deputy director of Shanxi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, outlined the sector-specific plans tied to the new regulations. Moving forward, the province will continue scaling up promotion of two flagship cultural tourism initiatives: the “Travel with Intangible Cultural Heritage” brand and the “Shanxi Intangible Cultural Heritage Good Products” program, which brings traditional handicrafts to wider domestic and global markets.

The revised regulations were formally approved during the 27th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th Shanxi Provincial People’s Congress, and are scheduled to take legal effect starting June 1, 2026. Currently, Shanxi is home to 182 national-level representative ICH projects and 198 national-level recognized inheritors — both figures rank third among all provincial-level administrative regions in China, underscoring the province’s status as a major cradle of Chinese traditional culture.

Between April 11 and 13, 2026, one of China’s most promising emerging specialty coffee brands — Nindo Coffee, rooted in the Xizang Autonomous Region — marked its second showcasing at a major European industry event, taking center stage at the Paris Coffee Festival. The homegrown regional brand brought a one-of-a-kind experience to global attendees, pairing high-quality specialty coffee with a vivid display of the dynamic blend of time-honored tradition and cutting-edge modern energy that defines contemporary Xizang, quickly earning widespread international recognition for its unique offerings.

Tsomo, founder and lead visionary behind Nindo Coffee, shared that the brand’s core mission extends far beyond selling specialty coffee. For her team, coffee acts as a accessible, approachable cultural medium to weave authentic Tibetan heritage into global cultural conversations, all to showcase a fresh, nuanced image of Xizang as a region where ancient traditions coexist and thrive alongside modern innovation. While the Tibetan specialty coffee sector remains in its early developmental stages, Tsomo and her team have prioritized three core goals: continuous product refinement, cultivation of distinct, terroir-driven flavor profiles unique to Xizang’s high-altitude growing conditions, and sharing the authentic essence of Tibetan culture alongside the forward-thinking worldview of today’s young Tibetan generation.

By the end of the three-day industry gathering, Nindo Coffee’s Xizang-inspired specialty coffee creations had garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from hundreds of general attendees. Industry veterans and coffee professionals also offered high praise for the brand’s consistent product quality and complex, memorable flavor profiles, marking a key milestone for Tibetan specialty coffee as it gains a foothold in global markets.