Diplomats from More Than 10 Countries Gather in Huyi in Search of Rural Revitalization

Activity video

Diplomats from more than 10 countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, gathered in Xi'an City's Huyi District (formerly Huxian County) recently to witness the "Huyi Model" of rural revitalization and explore new opportunities for rural development.

Group photo

Diplomats take in Huyi intangible cultural heritage

Experiencing the drum dance in Huxian County

The diplomats were treated to Huyi intangible cultural heritage with paper and woodcutting and the drum dance in the villages of Caijiapo and Liyukou, where they were also exposed to what cultural and artistic programs can contribute to rural revitalization. Huyi District has been steadily revitalizing in recent years along a path of "culture & art + rural revitalization" tailored to its distinctive characteristics. The result has been a "Huyi Model" of integrated urban-rural development powered by culture and art and known for thriving industry, an eminently livable environment, and overall prosperity, making Huyi the ideal spot for the international community to observe rural life in China.

Diplomats in the village of Caijiapo

Enjoying the coffee in Liyukou

Ninikanwa Olachi Okey-uche, a Minister at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in China, was especially taken with Huyi District: "Huyi is so beautiful! The food, the scenery – it's all so charming. I take my hat off to the Chinese Government: if this is what rural revitalization looks like, I think they've gotten it right!"

Visiting the Farmer Painting Museum in Huyi District

Huyi District is well-known as the home of Chinese farmer painting and bears the title of "Modern Folk Painting Township". In the Farmer Painting Museum, the honored guests were immediately struck by the color and vitality of the artwork. By some estimates, more than 100,000 paintings have been created in Huxian County since the rise of the art form, with more than 1,200 winning awards at home and internationally and thousands going on to be exhibited in 68 countries and join permanent collections there.

Huxian County farmer paintings

Creating their own farmer paintings

Ibrahim Sinkoun Kaba, a diplomat from the Republic of Guinea, had the following to say about the experience: "I was very impressed to learn that all the paintings in the museum are the work of farmers. Amazing. They are an expression of the love and struggle of daily life in the village, and they teach us so much about China's rural areas."