Direct experience of country's heritage now key feature of high-level diplomacy

亲身感受中国历史文化正成为高层外交重要内容

During a visit to the Palace Museum in Beijing in January, veteran guide Wang Xiaoxin had the opportunity to give visiting Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo a tour. Wang shared a historical anecdote about Finnish-born art historian Osvald Siren, who was invited by Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), to visit the Forbidden City in 1922. This story immediately captured Orpo's attention.

今年1月，资深导游王晓新（音译）有机会为来北京访问的芬兰总理彼得里·奥尔波提供故宫博物院的讲解服务。王晓新分享了一个历史轶闻：1922年，出生于芬兰的艺术史学家喜龙仁曾受清朝末代皇帝溥仪的邀请参观紫禁城。这个故事立即引起了奥尔波的兴趣。

Over the next hour, Wang guided Orpo along the palace's central axis, introducing him to the architecture, imperial rituals and folk customs of ancient China. Orpo showed particular interest in the imperial examination system, and was surprised to learn that candidates once spent three consecutive days completing the demanding tests used to select government officials, according to Wang.

在接下来的一小时里，王晓新带领奥尔波沿着故宫中轴线参观，向他介绍中国古代的建筑、宫廷礼仪和民俗风情。据王晓新观察，奥尔波对科举制度表现出浓厚兴趣，当得知考生曾需要连续三天完成选拔官员的严格考试时，他感到惊讶。

After the visit, Orpo expressed his excitement on social media, describing it as "an amazing experience". He praised the guide and the tour, noting the remarkable juxtaposition of the centuries-old historical site in the middle of an enormous modern city filled with skyscrapers.

参观结束后，奥尔波在社交媒体上表达了他的兴奋之情，称这是一次"奇妙的经历"。他称赞了这次导览，并特别提到这座拥有数百年历史的文化遗址与现代摩天大楼林立的都市景象交相辉映，令人赞叹。

According to Wang, the Palace Museum provides one of the best windows for visitors to understand China. Within its walls are over a thousand years of cultural heritage, offering insights into the core ideas that have shaped Chinese culture.

王晓新认为，故宫是外国友人了解中国的最佳窗口之一。故宫承载了上千年的文化遗产，展现了塑造中华文化的核心理念。

"In recent years, there has been talk of a so-called 'China threat' in some Western societies," he noted. "However, when people visit the Palace Museum and learn about China's traditional culture, they often discover that Chinese philosophy has long emphasized harmony and balance."

他说："近年来，西方社会出现了一些所谓'中国威胁论'的论调。但当人们参观故宫，了解中国传统文化后，常常会发现中国哲学历来强调和谐与平衡。"

During his guided tours, Wang frequently introduces the Taoist concept of wuwei, which advocates governance through respect for the intrinsic nature of people and society, rather than excessive interference or imposition. This ancient wisdom has influenced the country's governance for centuries.

在讲解中，王晓新经常介绍道家的"无为"思想，主张通过尊重人民和社会的本性来进行治理，而不是过度干预或强行施压。这一古老智慧影响了中国数千年来的治国理政。

Wang said that as Western countries increasingly view China in a more equal and objective manner, understanding Chinese culture and gaining insight into how Chinese people think and live can foster engagement based on mutual understanding.

他表示，随着西方国家越来越平等、客观地看待中国，理解中国文化并深入了解中国人的思维和生活方式，有助于在相互理解的基础上促进交流。

Several other foreign leaders, such as Irish Taoiseach, or prime minister, Micheal Martin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President of Uruguay Yamandu Orsi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have all incorporated cultural experiences into their visits to China in recent months.

近几个月来，爱尔兰总理米歇尔·马丁、德国总理弗里德里希·默茨、乌拉圭总统亚曼杜·奥尔西以及英国首相基尔·斯塔默等多位外国领导人在访华期间，也都安排了文化体验行程。

Starmer began his China visit at a Yunnan cuisine restaurant in Beijing. His cultural itinerary included visits to the Palace Museum as well as Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai, which embodies the essence of classical Chinese landscaping.

斯塔默的访华行程始于北京一家云南风味餐厅。他的文化之旅还包括参观故宫博物院和体现中国古典园林精华的上海豫园。

Dom Hastings, culture counsellor at the British embassy in China, said the arrangements reflected the full breadth of the relationship between the United Kingdom and China.

英国驻华大使馆文化参赞韩苏表示，这些安排体现了英中关系的广度。

"This is not only a political and trading relationship. It is also a long-standing cultural one," he said.

他说："这不仅是政治和贸易关系，也是长期的文化关系。"

"When planning the visit, we wanted to give the prime minister a rounded view of China, acknowledging its ancient heritage while also presenting a contemporary picture of the country today," Hastings added.

"在策划行程时，我们希望让首相对中国有一个全面的了解，既要了解其古老的文化遗产，也要展现其当代面貌。"

Dominic Stanton, communications counsellor at the British embassy, said planners were also mindful of the long history of bilateral cultural exchanges, including the state visit to China by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in 1986.

英国驻华大使馆通讯公关参赞沈栋明表示，策划者也考虑到了两国长期文化交流的历史，包括1986年英国女王伊丽莎白二世对中国的国事访问。

During Starmer's visit, the prime minister sat at the same table at Yuyuan Garden that the queen did 40 years ago. By referencing that legacy, the visit sought to highlight the enduring value of cultural connections, Stanton said.

斯塔默访问期间，在豫园就坐于40年前女王曾使用过的同一张桌子旁。沈栋明说，通过借鉴这一历史遗产，此次访问旨在强调文化连接的持久价值。

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