Fuzhou showcases opera and craft heritage at WTO forum in Geneva

Fuzhou, a historic city in China’s Jiangxi province, presented its traditional opera and intangible cultural heritage crafts at the WTO’s 2026 Public Forum in Geneva. The event gave the city a global stage to promote its cultural legacy through live performance and exhibition.

Why it matters: - Fuzhou used the WTO’s Public Forum in Geneva to introduce its cultural heritage to an international audience. - The presentation put traditional performance and crafts in front of global visitors, expanding the city’s cultural reach beyond China. - The event highlighted how heritage can be presented as both cultural preservation and cultural exchange.

What happened: - Fuzhou took part in a Chinese cultural promotion program during the World Trade Organization’s 2026 Public Forum in Geneva. - The three-day forum opened Sept. 15 at WTO headquarters. - The “Opportunity China · Creating the Future” cultural promotion series launched the same day and included performances and heritage displays from China. - Xuhe Gaoqiang, a centuries-old traditional Chinese opera form from Fuzhou, was featured on stage. - Artists from Fuzhou performed an excerpt from “The Peony Pavilion · Strolling in the Garden” in the Xuhe Gaoqiang style during the evening program “Sounds of Harmony” on the WTO lakeside terrace. - The Geneva presentation marked the first appearance of Fuzhou’s folk and traditional arts on the WTO’s multilateral international stage.

The details: - Xuhe Gaoqiang is known for its distinctive vocal style, expressive movement and theatrical storytelling. - The performance drew on one of the best-known works linked to Tang Xianzu, the Chinese playwright from Fuzhou known as the Shakespeare of the East. - The presentation used music, movement and theatrical expression to convey the themes of human emotion, harmony and cultural connection. - Guests from different countries received the performance warmly. - Fuzhou’s exhibition at the accompanying “Renewal of Craftsmanship” cultural and creative show included Linchuan knotting, paper-cutting, The Peony Pavilion-themed ceramics, eggshell carving and Nanfeng Baishe kiln ceramics. - The display turned traditional cultural forms into objects international visitors could see and experience up close. - The mix of live performance, cultural products and interactive experiences gave visitors multiple entry points into Fuzhou’s history and creativity. - Fuzhou is closely associated with Linchuan culture and Tang Xianzu’s literary legacy. - The city has been seeking ways to preserve traditional culture while adapting it for contemporary cultural and creative expression. - More information

Between the lines: - The Geneva appearance was as much about cultural diplomacy as performance. - Presenting heritage in a multilateral setting gave Fuzhou a way to connect local identity with global audiences. - The program also showed how traditional arts can be framed as living cultural assets rather than static museum pieces.

What's next: - Fuzhou is expected to continue using international platforms like the WTO Public Forum to share its cultural stories more broadly. - The city will likely keep pairing traditional arts with creative formats that make heritage easier for overseas audiences to engage with. - The Geneva showcase points to more opportunities for cross-cultural exchange through performance, craftsmanship and public events.