In early summer, a special event blending Silk Road flavors with international exchange took place in Beijing. The "New Era · Discovering China" event, themed "Gan Flavor Meets the World," featured a special encounter between Lanzhou beef noodles and foreign diplomats.
At the exhibition booths, diplomats from South Asian nations curiously applied Gansu rose skincare products to their hands, inhaling the scent with delight. Envoys from African countries sampled the crescent-shaped, orange-fleshed Yumen Huahai Yulong melon. Others tasted Longnan olive oil, giving it a try before raising their thumbs in approval with a satisfied "OK!"
The Silk Road stretches for thousands of miles, and its cultural treasures have nourished civilizations for millennia. Gansu is a significant cradle of the Chinese nation and its ancient culture, home to countless precious cultural heritages. This unique environment has also fostered distinctive regional produce and a culinary culture, cultivating agricultural products known for their rich flavor, high nutritional value, and green, safe quality—collectively branded as "Gan Flavor."
A representative from the Beijing Diplomatic Personnel Service Bureau noted that Gansu continues to play a vital role in promoting international exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Culinary culture is a core component of civilization, and the event aimed to introduce the world to Gansu's most characteristic local delicacies, allowing diplomats to savor the history, traditions, and lifestyles they embody.
The event showcased not only flavors but also cultural artifacts. Cities like Lanzhou, Tianshui, Longnan, and Wuwei presented their high-quality agricultural products and intangible cultural heritage displays. This allowed diplomats from various countries to appreciate the abundance, cultural beauty, and developmental vitality of the Gansu region, while also creating a platform for Gansu and its cities to deepen exchanges and expand cooperation with nations worldwide.
Promoting Longnan olive oil products like "Laixing" and "Pixiaoli," a company representative explained that their unique terroir imparts complex fruity notes and an ideal acidity, which helped them win gold medals at a recent international olive oil competition. Several diplomats sampled and purchased the products on the spot.
The live demonstration of the nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage skill—crafting Lanzhou beef noodles—captivated the diplomatic audience. Master Ma Wenbin, a representative inheritor of the craft, deftly transformed dough into countless fine strands, a breathtaking display of century-old artistry. The diplomats watched, applauded, and heartily enjoyed the iconic noodles, praised for their clear broth, white radish, red chili oil, green coriander, and yellow noodles.
Bridging distances and connecting China with the world, Lanzhou beef noodles have become a significant window for the world to understand and experience China. The city of Lanzhou has been vigorously developing this industry as a measure to benefit residents and boost the local economy and culture. By the end of 2025, it is projected that over 71,000 outlets will operate globally, with the entire industrial chain's output value exceeding 80 billion yuan.
The "Gan Flavor" serves as a universal language that transcends geographical barriers and a natural bridge for cultural exchange. This event, using "Gan Flavor" as the link and Lanzhou beef noodles as the vehicle, was not merely an immersive culinary tasting but also a direct dialogue for cultural exchange and an innovative practice to strengthen cooperation.
Gathering in Beijing and connecting with the world, the initiative uses brand promotion, culinary delights, and cultural ties as bridges to propel more of Gansu's high-quality agricultural products onto the global stage.
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