CIIE acts as top platform to show global cultures

International import expo bringing countries together for common good

SHANGHAI - Sports, food, music, dance, high tech, trade deals and business opportunities - all these and more add up to create the diverse atmosphere at the ongoing second China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

At Hungary's national booth, two performers played teqball, a new sport which is a modern twist on soccer. Their outstanding skills and stamina attracted many to take photos and videos and even try the new sport themselves.

Invented in Hungary, teqball requires players to use a soccer ball along with a curved table that is similar to a ping-pong table. Players try to volley the ball back and forth using any and all appendages that are legal to use in soccer.

"Teqball is a challenging and fun game. We brought it here just to introduce another side of our country - a nation of sports lovers," said project coordinator Katalin Sogor.

At the world's first import-themed national-level expo, Hungary is not the only country trying to expand its influence through culture.

At the Cuba booth, visitors waved and danced to Latin music. "People are our main treasure, and Cuban people's passion for life and music can be found in our exhibition," said Nestor Enrique Torres Olivera, consul general of Cuba in Shanghai.

Rum, cigars, coffee and other Cuban products are showcased in the country's booth.

"We want to attract as many people as possible and show them the potential of trade between Cuba and China," he said.

As one of the most popular country exhibitions, the China pavilion saw visitors lining up to try a cockpit simulator of China's homegrown C919 commercial airliner and experience life under the ocean in a manned submersible using virtual reality.

Visitors can also learn about the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu Ancient City, a testament to the more than 5,000-year-long Chinese civilization.

Besides the progress of development in China over the past 70 years, the exhibitions demonstrate the beautiful landscape of the country as well as the inclusiveness and openness of the Chinese culture, said Wu Zhengping, head of the trade development bureau of China's Ministry of Commerce.

"It is the second time for many countries to come here, and some of them have not only expanded the exhibition area but also brought more diversified facilities and exhibitions to give us a better experience," said Sun Jiwen, a visitor who also came to the expo for the second time.

The CIIE is designed to trade goods and services, exchange culture and ideas, welcome visitors from across the globe, benefit the whole world and respond to the aspirations of people from various countries to live a better life, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at a banquet on Monday to welcome guests from around the world to the CIIE.

Xinhua