Chinese in France share their culture at second annual Bellevill Mid-Autumn Food Festival

Young Chinese living in France have seized an opportunity to introduce Chinese culture and the Hainan Free Trade Port during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day.

Spearheaded by the Belleville Joint Chamber of Commerce Association (BJCCA) and supported by the Association d'Entraide à l'Entreprenariat Des Jeunes Chinois (AEEJC), the second annual Belleville Mid-Autumn Food Festival offered more than tantalizing dishes last Saturday.

The BJCCA's leader Ye Wen said that despite various challenges, the event presented an opportunity for French residents to savor authentic Chinese delicacies, and that for Chinese living in France, such an event had a significant get-together cultural meaning.

Zhan Shengjie, a second generation Chinese living in France, president of AEEJC, guided his association in co-hosting the festival, which emphasized the multifaceted charm of Chinese culture through its cuisine. On behalf of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Hainan in France, he also introduced the preferential policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port and shared the progress of its construction at the occasion, inviting French residents to visit.

Zhan also championed an art exhibition in Paris featuring the renowned Chinese calligrapher and painter Chen Yinping. The exhibition, titled "Finger life: Chen Yinping finger painting", is being held from Sept 29 to Oct 8.

"It's imperative for next generations to continue embracing and passing down our Chinese culture. We shoulder the responsibility of building this cultural bridge, offering the younger generations of overseas Chinese ample opportunities and platforms to immerse themselves in Chinese culture," Zhan said.

During the exhibition, Zhan invited Chen to provide art workshops designed for overseas Chinese youth aged ten and above on Wednesday. The sessions aimed to deepen their connection to Chinese culture, and channel the vigor of the younger generations to enhance Sino-French cultural exchanges.