October 1st, 2025

(From www.china.com) The 2025 Second Diplomat Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Grand Ceremony and ICH Inheritors Art Festival, themed "Unbounded Inheritance · Dancing with Intangible Cultural Heritage", grandly opened on the evening of September 27 at Beijing World Park. Co-hosted by the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors Conference Organizing Committee, the Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in China, and the Oriental Chinese (Beijing) Cultural Art Troupe, initiated by the Beijing National Medicine Academy Public Welfare Foundation, and organized by Beijing Longxiaofei Cultural Art Co., Ltd., the event aims to practice the concept of "mutual cultural learning" and build a high-end platform for global ICH exchanges and mutual learning. Over 500 guests, including foreign diplomats in China, Chinese and international ICH inheritors, cultural scholars, and distinguished guests from various sectors, gathered to celebrate the grand occasion.

Amidst the thunderous beats of the majestic gong and drum performance, ceremony hosts Xiao Guining, Wang Hong, and Chen Wencai announced the official opening. Diplomats in attendance came from the embassies of Bulgaria, Trinidad and Tobago, Jordan, Morocco, Colombia, Romania, Zambia, Algeria, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and other countries in China. Host representatives present included Ms. Long Xiaofei, Chief Executive Officer of the Diplomat ICH Ceremony Organizing Committee, Mr. Tang Ding, Secretary General of the Organizing Committee, Deputy Secretaries-General Man Yunwei, Gao Sai, and Liu Zizheng, Mr. Xiao Wunan, Executive Vice Chairman of the Asia Pacific Exchange & Cooperation Foundation (APECF), Ms. Yang Lili, President of the China Traditional Culture Promotion Council, Ms. Wei Huan, Chairwoman of the Ambassadors' Spouses Club, as well as Chen Yongxing, Dong Lei, Zhu Lianqiang, Hu Yuying, and other guests.

Ms. Long Xiaofei, Chief Executive Officer of this Diplomat ICH Ceremony, delivered an opening address, expounding on the event's vision and mission to promote mutual cultural learning and the shared prosperity of ICH. On behalf of international guests, Mr. Andrey Tsvetkov, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to China, delivered a speech, expressing strong recognition for international exchanges and cooperation in ICH.

Subsequently, the venue witnessed an exciting launching ceremony. Invited guests including Ms. Yang Lili, President of the China Traditional Culture Promotion Council, Ms. Wei Huan, Chairwoman of the Ambassadors' Spouses Club, Ms. Long Xiaofei, Chief Executive Officer of the Diplomat ICH Ceremony, Mr. Andrey Tsvetkov, Bulgarian Ambassador to China, Mr. Adrian, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago in China, Mr. Xiao Wunan, Mr. Dong Lei, Mr. Mao Huafeng, and representatives of the organizers jointly lit the "Lumina Sphere", a symbol of the eternal flow of ICH wisdom illuminating the world, officially declaring the 2025 Diplomat ICH Ceremony set sail.

Following the launching ceremony, Mr. Xiao Wunan, Executive Vice Chairman of the Asia Pacific Exchange & Cooperation Foundation, delivered an insightful speech titled "Contemporary Value and Global Mission of Intangible Cultural Heritage". Mr. Adrian, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago in China and representing the co-organizers, also delivered an enthusiastic address.

The cultural performance segment was a highlight of splendor. Krishna Vandana, a dance recommended by the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago in China, interpreted divine beauty through graceful and vivid movements. Singer Mao Huafeng delivered a soulful performance of the song "Chasing the Light", conveying faith and strength.

The core session of the ceremony—the thematic forum—focused on key issues in ICH development. The first forum, themed "Exploring a New Path: Promote Trade Through Culture, Sustain Culture Through Trade", featured a dialogue between Mr. Chai Zhanzhu, a representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage of marbled porcelain, Professor Liu Yunbao from the First Affiliated Hospital of Tsinghua University, and Mr. Tang Ding, Secretary-General of the ceremony. They conducted in-depth discussions on building a new ecosystem for cultural trade.