A delegation of 30 envoys from Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) visited Tianjin on Feb 24 to celebrate the Lantern Festival with local people.

The delegation included Bulgarian ambassador to China Andrey Tehov, ambassador of North Macedonia to China Sasko Nasev, as well as envoys and diplomats from 10 countries including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Greece and Slovenia.

Delegation members experience traditional Chinese crafts. [Photo/WeChat account: tj_swb]

During their stay in Tianjin, delegation members visited the Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street, where they explored various cultural sites, including Darentang Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Exhibition Hall, Yangliuqing Painting Gallery, Lianshengzhai Embroidery Art Museum, Nirenzhang Art Museum and a local tea house.

With enthusiasm, they experienced such traditional crafts as medicinal pill hand-rolling and Yangliuqing New Year painting manufacturing, appreciated the delicate art of embroidery, marveled at lifelike clay sculptures and enjoyed moments of tea-drinking, fully immersing themselves in the wonder and charm of Chinese traditional craftsmanship.

Delegation members participate in a lantern show at Tianjin Water Park. [Photo/WeChat account: tj_swb]

At Tianjin Water Park, the delegation admired the dazzling display of lanterns reflecting in the water and experienced the unique Tianjin culture.

The diplomats commented that the seamless integration of lantern art and water scenery showcases the beauty and cultural richness of Tianjin.

Engaging with Tianjin locals and visitors, they enjoyed the ambiance and vitality of the Spring Festival and expressed good wishes for the upcoming year.

Apart from sightseeing, the delegation also had the opportunity to taste such local delicacies as Goubuli steamed buns and pancake rolls, whilst watching intangible cultural heritage performances including allegro, kite making, papercutting, frog button fabrication and sugar painting.

Delegation members admire China's intangible cultural heritage techniques. [Photo/WeChat account: tj_swb]

In recent years, cooperation between Tianjin and CEEC has become a vital component of China-Europe relations. High-level reciprocal visits between the city and such countries as Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Belarus and Hungary have been maintained, resulting in new achievements in various fields of education, agriculture, culture and sports.

Participants went on to mention that their visit to Tianjin served as an exemplary practice to showcase and enhance the city's unique cultural identity, exemplifying the charm of its local traditions in the international arena.

Accompanying the delegation were Jiang Yu, special representative for China-CEEC cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, and Luan Jianzhang, director of the Tianjin Foreign Affairs Office.