Guangdong launched the 2026 Charming China (Guangdong): Lingnan Culture Travels to the South Pacific event in Papua New Guinea (PNG) on July 31, offering a vibrant showcase of traditional Lingnan culture and cutting-edge technology.
The launch ceremony was held at Butuka Academy in Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby. It coincided with both the 2026 APEC "China Year" and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and PNG, underscoring a shared commitment to deepening people-to-people connections.
PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko addresses the launch ceremony at Butuka Academy.
The event was attended by a host of officials and representatives, including Justin Tkatchenko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Papua New Guinea, Powes Parkop, Governor of the National Capital District of Papua New Guinea, H.E. Yang Xiaoguang, Chinese Ambassador to PNG, and Deng Hong, Deputy Director General of the Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, as well as delegates from Guangdong's media and cultural sectors and Chinese enterprises operating in PNG.
Chinese Ambassador Yang Xiaoguang addresses the launch ceremony at Butuka Academy.
Deng Hong, Head of the Guangdong delegation addresses the launch ceremony.
In their addresses, Tkatchenko and Parkop spoke highly of the friendly relations between China and PNG and praised China's millennia-old splendid civilization.
Tkatchenko noted that China and Guangdong's sincere assistance in education, healthcare and other fields had injected strong momentum into PNG's development. The Butuka Academy, built with support from Port Moresby's sister-city Shenzhen, stands as a vivid testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations.
He also revealed that he would attend the APEC meeting in Shenzhen together with Prime Minister James Marape.
PNG Foreign Minister meets Deng Hong, Deputy Director General of the Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador Yang Xiaoguang and Deputy Director General Deng Hong emphasized that culture serves as the best bridge connecting hearts, and expressed their readiness to deepen civilizational dialogue and expand practical cooperation, jointly charting a new course of shared harmony and mutual prosperity.
The grand cultural event on July 31 boasted an extensive agenda, consisting of a gift presentation ceremony, a lineup of theatrical performances and the "See You in Guangdong" story-sharing session.
A series of supporting activities further enriched the event. They covered the "Guangdong Goods, Global Reach" products expo, the IP Guangdong photography display featuring Guangdong's scenery, a curated showcase of more than 60 Lingnan folk handicrafts, as well as hands-on intangible cultural heritage (ICH) workshops on Cantonese embroidery, paper-cutting and Guangzhou painted porcelain.
Diverse products on display at "Guangdong Goods, Global Reach" session
As a major international communication campaign of Guangdong in 2026, the event was co-hosted by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Independent State of Samoa and the Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province.
The event also received support from Guangdong Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Nanfang Media Group (Nanfang Daily), Guangdong Radio and Television Station, and Guangdong Publishing Group.
PNG dancers perform at the launch ceremony.
Following the speeches came a gift presentation ceremony, where the Guangdong delegation presented Butuka Academy with a range of offerings, including children's books, smart readers, China-produced award-winning animations, calligraphy works and Lingnan-style souvenirs.
The joyous atmosphere then culminated in a rich repertoire of performances integrating Lingnan and Papua New Guinea cultural elements, presented by art groups organized by the Guangdong Federation of Literary and Art Circles. The lineup included dance, puppetry, martial arts, Cantonese opera, magic and an ICH fusion show.
A Tapestry of Friendship Woven Through Culture and Tech
The event provided a dynamic mix of displays, stage shows and interactive workshops, offering PNG audiences a window into Guangdong's diverse cultural fabric.
Three flagship brand activities hosted by South unfolded a layered image of Guangdong to local PNG viewers, turning the remote and abstract concept of "Guangdong" into something approachable, amiable and tangible.
((Middle) PNG Foreign Minister; (Right) Ambassador Yang Xiaoguang, engaging with Guangdong Delegation.
In the "See You in Guangdong" story-sharing session, Karisma Jipris, a Papua New Guinean clinical medicine student at Southern Medical University in Guangdong, shared how Guangdong's development model could offer valuable lessons for her home country.
She described witnessing the transformative impact of rural revitalization in Guangdong, where communities were lifted through hard work and resolve, and noted Guangdong's parallel commitment to high-quality growth and a green, beautiful environment—a balance she found deeply inspiring.
"Through the friendship between China and PNG, we have access to education, technology, and opportunities that can transform our country," she added, underscoring the tangible benefits of bilateral ties.
Her words resonated on the spot. At the IP Guangdong photo exhibition, students marveled at images capturing Guangdong's modern cityscapes, high-tech industries, lion dances and lychee harvests. Many remarked that the exhibition painted a vivid and profound portrait of contemporary Guangdong blended with exotic traditions that sparked their curiosity to visit.
Faculty and students of Butuka Academy attend the ceremony.
At the "Guangdong Goods, Global Reach" products experience zone, PNG students and guests tried exoskeleton suits, smart stringless electric guitars and AI-powered translation wearables. The cutting-edge innovations broke their previous understanding of modern life, and inspired PNG students' imagination of a tech-driven future. Many expressed anticipation that such user-friendly, life-empowering technologies could be applied in Papua New Guinea to benefit local communities.
PNG students visiting IP Guangdong photo exhibition.
The gift presentation session
The PNG leg of the event was set to run through August 2. Prior to the launch ceremony, the Guangdong delegation had already held an "intangible cultural heritage in the classroom" session at Butuka Academy on July 29 and attended the open house day of the Chinese Embassy in Papua New Guinea on July 30, laying a solid foundation for sustained people-to-people exchanges in the future.
The Guangdong delegation will move on to the Independent State of Samoa on August 3 and begin the Samoa leg of the campaign.
Group photo of Guangdong delegation, PNG officials and local students
Reporter | Huang Xinyi reporting from Papua New Guinea
Photo | Guo Hongda
