江苏留学网

A student from Thailand shows off her paper-cut to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The handicraft focused on Tiananmen Square and was decorated by the national flag of China, the figures of 70 and 1949-2019, pigeons, peony flowers and fans. [Photo/IC]

A group of Thai students and ethnic minority residents living in Nantong in Jiangsu province tried their hands at some Chinese traditions on Sept 25 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. 

Organized by residents of the local Yuai village, the activity invited the participants to cut and shape red paper with various festive designs. 

These included a delicate Tiananmen Square decorated by the national flag of China, the figures of 70 and 1949-2019, pigeons, peony flowers and fans, and paper lanterns spruced up in red and yellow – colors which are welcomed by Chinese people for their auspicious meanings – as well as words reading "I love China". 

They also tried to make Chinese knots – a decorative handicraft which can be dated back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Song Dynasty (960-1279) – and experienced the charms of tying and weaving from a single length of cord to be a variety of shapes. 

Nantong in recent years has embraced many foreigners who study and work in the city. Local residential communities have organized various activities to increase the international visitors' understanding of China. 

The city is also home to a large group of ethnic minorities. A national-level sports meet featuring their own forms of physical exercise is held in Nantong every year.