Intangible cultural heritage continues to enrich China-US exchanges

NEW YORK — In a remarkable act of cultural diplomacy, a series of events showcasing the rich heritage of Henan province, a central Chinese region celebrated for its deep historical and cultural significance, captivated audiences in New York City and Philadelphia.

On Feb 29, the Chinese Consulate General in New York was transformed into a vibrant epicenter of arts and traditions that displayed the ancient crafts of paper-cutting and dough sculpture, the disciplined elegance of martial arts, and the emotive allure of Yuju Opera. The exhibitions drew enthusiastic responses from a diverse audience.

One of the event's highlights was when Yuan Shengke, a master of Chinese paper-cutting, created silhouettes of guest speakers David Adelman, a board officer of the US-China Green Institute, and Jessica Bissett, senior director at the National Committee on US-China Relations. Yuan captured their likenesses with astonishing speed and accuracy.