The city of Taizhou, Zhejiang province establishes a cultural station to promote local Hehe culture in Tokyo, Japan on July 9. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

With the unveiling of a cultural station in Tokyo on July 9, Hehe culture, a Chinese philosophy which originated in Taizhou, Zhejiang province and emphasizes the concept of harmony above all else, has come into the public view in the East Asian island nation of Japan.

In Hehe culture, there is an influential folk tale which alludes to it originating in Taizhou.

A delegation from Taizhou, Zhejiang province introduces Hehe culture and the city’s recent development to attendees from China and Japan on July 9. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

The legend of Han Shan and Shi De is a work of oral literature about the friendship between a hermit poet of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and a monk at Guoqing Temple. The two men were close friends and won the respect and admiration of many due to their advocacy for kindness and harmony. They were conferred the title of "the two saints of Hehe" by Emperor Yongzheng in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911).

Today, Hehe culture is an iconic cultural element in Taizhou, and the city is striving to spread it to the rest of the world.

In Japan, Ye Haiyan, director of Taizhou's publicity department, introduced the culture and Taizhou to more than 30 Chinese and Japanese attendees, discussing the significance of overseas cultural stations and the international promotion of Hehe culture.

An exhibition showcasing Taizhou's Hehe culture is held in Tokyo, Japan on July 9. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]