More than 150 diplomats from over 50 countries and their spouses, as well as officials of government departments, gathered in Beijing Sunday for the Delicacy Culture leg of the annual Friendship Competition of Ambassadors and Madams on Knowing Chinese Culture.
Held at the Friendship Palace of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Sichuan cooking performances and traditional Sichuan opera were on display.
Following the success of the Tea Culture event held in Beijing, Chongqing and Chizhou in April, Delicacy Culture consists of three major parts: the opening ceremony, Chengdu cooking training and competition and a cuisine trip to Chengdu later this month.
Several Sichuan chefs are scheduled to conduct cooking classes, with a dish of Gung Pao Chicken up for judging.
A trip to Chengdu will take place at the end of the month, with 50 diplomats and their spouses from over 20 countries expected to attend. Those taking part will whip up Gung Pao Chicken and leave a hand print on a memorial wall in Chengdu to mark the occasion.
The annual Friendship Competition event is now in its ninth year and aims at promoting communication among diplomats and enhancing their understanding of Chinese culture, according to the organizers.
Different cultural elements are chosen to be part of the event each year, including traditional Chinese fashion parades, Chinese cooking, tea ceremonies and interactive activities in over 100 cities and regions.
By Zhao Zhijie from Global Times