Anhui & Maryland Boost Cultural Ties with Tea, Tourism, and Student Performances

From tea ceremonies to student-led performances, the bond between China's Anhui province and the U.S. state of Maryland just got stronger! Over 100 guests gathered in Maryland on December 19 for a vibrant cultural showcase aimed at deepening cross-Pacific connections.

A Fusion of Traditions

Attendees sipped their way through tea art workshops and watched University of Maryland students perform creative skits blending Eastern and Western beverage cultures. The event, part of Anhui’s 2023 Culture and Tourism Promotion, highlighted 43 years of sister-region ties—the first such partnership for Anhui since its 1980 linkage with Maryland.

Leaders Celebrate Friendship

Anhui Deputy Governor Sun Yong called the collaboration a \"fruitful story\" of U.S.-China cultural exchange. Chinese Embassy Minister Jing Quan tied the event to recent high-level diplomatic efforts, emphasizing plans to boost travel and communication through more flights, easier visas, and tourism initiatives. Maryland Senator Clarence Lam praised the regions’ shared history and pledged to expand cooperation in education, tourism, and trade.

Building Bridges, One Sip at a Time

With student performances stealing the spotlight, the gathering proved that cultural diplomacy isn’t just about politics—it’s about people. As one attendee joked, \"Who knew tea and coffee could be such great wingmen for friendship?\"

Reference(s):

Anhui and Maryland strengthen China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges

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