A showcase of Quanzhou cuisine captivates guests in Paris.

　　Quanzhou Daily, June 9 – By reporters Chen Yunqing and Wang Yongzheng, with correspondent Chen Xiang (Text/Photos)

　　To commemorate the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations—an initiative introduced by China at the United Nations—UNESCO and the Permanent Delegation of China to UNESCO jointly hosted the "Silk Road Youth Dialogue for the Future" symposium on June 5 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. As part of the celebration, the Quanzhou Municipal Government curated an immersive culinary exhibition, building a "bridge of flavour" that connected cultures through the tastes of southern China's coastal and mountainous traditions.

　　The event offered a multisensory experience of Chinese gastronomy, combining themed culinary displays, buffet tastings, and live cooking demonstrations. At its heart were signature dishes from Quanzhou, a city renowned as a historic gateway of the Maritime Silk Routes. The menu featured 38 meticulously prepared offerings: 7 cold appetisers, 11 hot dishes, 5 traditional snacks, 2 staple foods, 1 soup, and 14 delicacies served during the tea break. These selections elegantly fused Quanzhou's maritime food heritage with regional culinary influences from across China.

　　More than a celebration of flavour, the event showcased Quanzhou's rich cultural legacy and the intricate artistry of Chinese cuisine, offering a compelling narrative of tradition, innovation, and intercultural exchange.

　　Over 400 distinguished guests attended, including Ambassador Yang Xinyu, China's Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, alongside senior UNESCO officials, representatives of member states, international organisations, scholars, and youth leaders. The culinary experience received high praise from attendees, who noted its success in fostering meaningful intercultural dialogue. Many expressed that the event served as an exemplary platform for promoting mutual understanding and respect among different cultures.

　　Ambassador Yang commended the Quanzhou Municipal Government for its dedication and meticulous preparation. She noted that the showcase not only reflected Quanzhou's pivotal role in the Maritime Silk Routes but also embodied the universal appeal and soft power of Chinese culinary heritage. Food, she remarked, is a uniquely effective medium for cultural exchange—one that transcends language and difference, gently cultivating friendship and shared understanding. "It is cultural dialogue in its most subtle and nourishing form," she said.

　　The success of the Quanzhou culinary showcase added depth and vibrancy to the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, while charting new pathways for bringing Chinese cuisine to the global stage. It also reaffirmed China's commitment to international cultural cooperation and contributed to the broader vision of building a shared future for humanity—one where food becomes a language of unity and peace.