On September 9, the 11th "Colourful World" Cultural Exhibition and Exchange Event officially opened in Hall 7 at Shougang Park as the most internationally diverse section of the "Culture & Tourism Services" thematic exhibition at the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS). This year's edition, themed "One World, One Stage, Endless Glow", is joined by embassies from nearly 30 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, and international organizations.

Chinese and foreign guests pose for a group photo at the event.

The event is hosted by the Information Office of Beijing Municipality and organized by CRI Online of China Media Group and Capital Cultural & Technology Group Ltd.

At the opening ceremony, Mohammad Zakaria Lababidi, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Syria in China, delivered remarks highlighting Syria's history, culture, and tourism resources. He expressed his hope for deeper bilateral people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, as well as best wishes for the event. Lababidi commented that the "Colourful World" event provides a platform for dialogue, exchange, mutual learning and shared appreciation of civilizations. "We thank Beijing for bringing together civilizations from around the world. We hope more people will take this opportunity to learn about Syria's long history and splendid culture."

Group dance "A Flourishing Era" (同堂盛世) performed by the Beijing Dance Drama & Opera (a performing company)

Syrian oud performance

Nepali dance

Senegalese African hand-drum performance

Traditional Moroccan dance

Traditional Ugandan dance

During the cultural performance segment of the opening ceremony, artists from Syria, Nepal, Senegal, Morocco, Uganda and other countries presented a vibrant lineup of traditional instrumental music and dance performances.

A visitor tries playing hand drums at the booth of the Embassy of Ghana in China.

A foreign visitor tries out AI-powered photo-taking.

For this edition, the exhibition area has been expanded to 655 square meters. Indoors, visitors can find distinctive cultural artifacts from various countries, enjoy performances from around the world, and take part in a cultural salon. Outdoors, photo exhibitions, intangible cultural heritage experiences and interactive photo-taking spots offer an immersive glimpse into the customs and cultures of different countries without leaving Beijing. Cutting-edge technologies are also integrated into the exhibition: AI-powered photo kiosks allow visitors to generate photos featuring their portraits, Beijing's landmarks and international elements, and print them on the spot, while VR fencing offers a dynamic digital experience. Together, these features bring different cultures closer to visitors and add amazing technological touches to the event.

Diplomats in China visit the exhibition area and exchange views.

The event offers a wide range of activities across three sections: "Colourful Stage", "Colourful Space", and "Colourful Interaction". On the main stage, diplomatic envoys in China showcase the natural resources, culture and specialties of their respective countries, while international song and dance performances take place throughout the event. Relevant authorities, including the Beijing Municipal Administration of Government Services and Data Management and the Office of Beijing Planning and Construction Commission, also introduce Beijing's international services, historical and cultural heritage, and inbound tourism offerings, highlighting the appeal of the city's development.

Handicrafts, traditional clothing and cultural artifacts are showcased at the booths of more than 20 embassies in China, creating an immersive atmosphere. The "East Meets West: Charming Beijing" salon, themed "The Key to Nature", will feature discussions on natural wellness, natural aesthetics, and the offerings of the natural world. Live-streaming sessions centered on cross-border e-commerce also present the distinctive, high-quality products from multiple countries, helping promote cultural exchange between China and other countries.

The event also offers customized stickers from embassies, limited-edition sticker collection booklets and the chance to redeem the exclusive lucky bags, encouraging visitors to share their exhibition experiences on social media.

Foreign visitors collect stickers for their sticker collection booklets.

The five-day event will run through September 13.

(Source: CRI Online)