Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology Organizes Lunar New Year Event for Foreign Experts in Hubei

On January 16, the Department of Science and Technology of Hubei Province brought together 15 foreign expert representatives working in Hubei and their families from eight countries, including the United States, Russia, Italy, Germany, Kenya, Sudan, Brazil, and Uzbekistan. The event provided an immersive experience of Wuhan's folk culture, hands-on learning of traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritage crafts, and tasting sessions of classic Jing-Chu cuisine. Through deep interactive engagement, participants connected with the millennia-old cultural heritage of Wuhan and felt the vibrant dynamism of Hubei.

In the morning, the foreign experts visited the Sijimei Soup Dumpling restaurant on Jiqing Street. Under the guidance of its fourth-generation inheritor, they personally crafted soup dumplings—from rolling out the wrappers and filling the stuffing to shaping the pleats—gaining firsthand experience in the artistry behind this renowned local snack and appreciating the craftsmanship of Wuhan’s culinary traditions.

The group then boarded a special sightseeing shuttle bus for the "Hankou Historical and Cultural District," stopping at iconic landmarks such as Wuhan Tiandi and the Bagong Building to take in the century-old charm of old Hankou. In the afternoon, the experts observed an intangible cultural heritage tea ceremony performance and practiced writing the Chinese character "福" (fu, meaning "fortune") with brush pens, savoring traditional Lunar New Year customs amid the fragrance of tea and the elegance of ink. Guided by a national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor, the delegation also visited the National Lacquer Art Space, where they tried their hand at crafting lacquered gourds. Some experts even kept their self-made intangible cultural heritage artworks as souvenirs. As the event concluded, the experts sampled local specialties such as Hongshan Cai Tai (a type of Brassica) and lotus root soup, delving deeper into the unique culinary culture of the Chu-Han region.

Among the participants were both newcomers who had just arrived in Hubei and seasoned experts who had worked in the province for many years. The event allowed them to appreciate the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Jing-Chu while also experiencing Hubei’s warm and dedicated efforts to attract talent. They expressed their hope to continue deepening their roots in Hubei, further engage with the pulse of the Jing-Chu region, and contribute to enhancing exchanges and cooperation between Hubei and the world.

The head of the Science and Technology Talent Division (Provincial Foreign Experts Bureau) of the Department of Science and Technology of Hubei Province stated that Hubei will leverage the pilot reform initiative for comprehensive foreign talent service and support to further optimize the recruitment and service system for overseas professionals. Efforts will continue to enrich the cultural experiences of foreign experts in Hubei and foster a talent ecosystem that is "welcoming to those nearby and attractive to those afar." The aim is to ensure that foreign experts can work with peace of mind and live comfortably in Hubei, using culture as a bridge to gather scientific and innovative talents from across the globe and jointly write a new chapter in Hubei’s high-quality development.

（Source：Wuhan News Radio FM88.4）

Source: Department of Science and Technology of Hubei Province