In the streets of London, a steaming bowl of Spicy and Peppery Soup (Hulatang in Chinese) not only eases the homesickness of Chinese expatriates but also captivates foreign foodies, showcasing the global appeal of Henan culture. On January 25, the 4th session of the 13th CPPCC Henan Provincial Committee convened at the Henan People's Hall. During the event, Ren Xiang, a member of the provincial CPPCC shared his insights on promoting Henan culture abroad, using the international popularity of Spicy and Peppery Soup as an example.
"As a family member of Chinese nationals living abroad and a returnee, it is my duty to share the story of my hometown, Henan, with people around the world," Ren Xiang said. He noted that Spicy and Peppery Soup is just one of many aspects of Henan culture gaining popularity internationally. For example, the Yellow Emperor Worship Ceremony has gained widespread acclaim both at home and abroad. Ren has been leading efforts to organize the Worship Ceremony for the Chinese community in the United Kingdom for the past six years.
With a rich cultural heritage spanning thousands of years, how can Henan better promote and develop its traditional culture on the global stage? Ren Xiang proposed introducing policies to uncover Henan's world-class cultural resources, including the Yellow Emperor, the Yellow River, oracle bone inscriptions, and Tai Chi. He emphasized the need to accelerate the registration of cultural and creative intellectual properties and brands overseas. He also stressed the importance of telling China's stories well, ensuring that Henan's cultural products not only reach global markets but also generate substantial returns.
Ren Xiang recommended that Henan leverage national and provincial international communication centers and institutions to better integrate the province's cultural industry resources and capabilities. He proposed planning annual themed activities for cultural promotion abroad, establishing platforms that align with overseas communication, and enhancing the use of technology in digital intangible cultural heritage and AI-driven creative industries. These initiatives aim to develop new, youth-oriented business models that appeal to global consumers, ensuring that cultural promotion abroad is both dynamic and sustainable.
"A global vision rooted in China should be embraced, with direct flights connecting cities like London and Milan to Zhengzhou, and the 240-hour visa-free transit policy being leveraged to invite foreigners to experience the best of Henan," Ren said. "They can enjoy Mixue drinks, savor Banu hot pot, shop for diamonds, and explore cultural tourism, and all of these will help enhance Henan's global profile and reputation." Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), Ren expressed his commitment to building bridges for cultural exchange and mutual understanding abroad, ensuring that Henan culture is heard, understood and remembered worldwide. (Chinese source: dahe.cn Reporter: Tian Kaizhong and Liu Yuan Translator: Yang Jiaxin Proofreader: Ding Lan and Zhao Hanqing)
