From Visitors to Disseminators: Huyi's Rural Energy from Diplomats' Perspectives

On August 12, diplomats accredited to China from 20 countries visited Huyi District of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. The stops included Caijiapo Village and Liyukou Village of Shijing Subdistrict, Yizhao Modern Agricultural Park in Jiangcun Subdistrict, and Longwo Liquor Culture Museum in Laodian Subdistrict. This trip offered the diplomats a unique chance to discover the international elements in China's rural areas.

The trip was packed with diverse experiences. The diplomats attended a folk art copyright exhibition guided by a humanoid robot named "Xiao Hu", explored the Art Village Chief's Home, marveled at the paintings by farmers from Hu County, watched the folk show "The Big Bridal Sedan", savored coffee at Two Tree Coffee Bar, and picked grapes in vineyards. Through a packed itinerary, they discovered the development momentum in these rural areas of China.

"In Huyi's villages, we witnessed the integration of natural resources, talent power, entrepreneurship spirits, tourism, art and other elements. Only by connecting productive activities with nature can rural areas be truly revitalized. I hope to introduce the grape cultivation techniques from here to southern Nepal," said Parbati Aryal, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Nepal in China.

"The highly distinctive wedding customs performances, diverse leisure options and modern grape cultivation and marketing—all of these have impressed me a lot. The display of traditional culture reflects mutual learning among civilizations, while rural practices demonstrate cross-border exchange of development models," summarized Boutaina Saboundji, Counsellor of the Embassy of Morocco in China.

Back in the 1950s, when farmers depicted their land through art, their paintings endowed Huyi with indelible cultural traits. These cultural treasures also gained international acclaim through overseas exhibitions, together serving as a unique symbol of the globalization of Huyi's villages.

"Farmers' work is arduous yet rewarding. I'm really attracted by those amazing paintings because I also grew up on a farm," said Luamanuvae A. Mariner, Ambassador of Samoa to China.

In Huyi, Longwo liquor and farmers' paintings exist in symbiotic harmony. At Longwo Liquor Culture Museum, diplomats explored the century-old history of Longwo liquor, ancient brewing techniques, and related folk traditions and cultural facts, immersing themselves in the rich cultural deposits preserved behind the traditional liquor-making techniques.

Through farmers' paintings to Longwo liquor, diplomats witnessed locals' love and celebration of their daily lives, and realized their respect for and efforts made in perpetuating the craftsmanship spirit.

Extending from agriculture to cultural tourism, and from rural landscapes to artistic expression, Huyi District is breaking down urban-rural boundaries and industrial barriers to create an integrated ecosystem featuring agriculture, culture, tourism and more. Through this trip, these distinguished guests from outside China gained insights into the country's progress in rural revitalization as epitomized by Huyi.

(Article by Liu Honghua)