The Tonglu delegation toured Paris and gave performances and cultural exchanges depicting Chinese traditions and ideas on Jan 17, as part of activities to celebrate Chinese Spring Festival around the globe.

The scene was made festive with red Chinese decorations all around and with a showcase of traditional Chinese Yue Opera, paper-cutting, the musical instrument suona, and calligraphy.

Two of the Tonglu delegates act out the farewell story from the classic Yue Opera play Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. Having been performed far and wide in China for over 1600 years, it is a faithful-love masterpiece that throughout the ages has been compared to "Romeo and Juliet". Yue Opera originated in Shengzhou county of Shaoxing, Zhejiang province. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

The event was launched by French Economic and Cultural Exchange Association. More than 50 overseas Chinese and French participated, including Liu Jian, deputy editor-in-chief of UK-China Info 24, and Ma Jianhong, chairman of the Chinese calligraphers and painters association in France.

Liu Jian took on the role of interpreter to help the French attendees better understand Chinese culture.

Zou Jianhua, head of the delegation, furthered talks with Chinese societies and associations abroad to promote Tonglu county and explore more cooperation in the future. With the French tour completed, the mission will head for its next location, Zurich, Switzerland.