Expo stories: Int’l friends play different roles in CSA Expo
The 7th China-South Asia Exposition (CSA Expo) is to be held from Aug. 16 to 20 in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province.
During the past decade, international friends who played different roles in the Expo have already left touching stories.
Sugath (3rd from right) plays a Yunnan drum with his friends at a previous CSA Expo.
Sugath Rathnayake from Sri Lanka, who is now teaching Sinhala in Yunnan University, has come to the Expo as a reporter in 2017.
Hailing that the Expo is an international platform for deepening the friendship between China and Sri Lanka, Sugath expressed gratefulness on seeing Sri Lankan traders and business communities come to Kunming with tea, gems, and other handicrafts.
To him, seizing the opportunity to introduce his motherland to more people for better cultural exchanges is important.
Zhang Dayong, who is dedicated to volunteering since college time, started his story with CSA Expo in 2022.
This precious experience has given him strength to persevere in his later volunteer work as a teacher in remote areas in west Yunnan province. To him, volunteering is never easy. It requires patience in facing trifling matters.
This year, with Zhang’s help in recruiting volunteers in Yunnan University, the Expo is going to see university students giving hands to those in need.
Li Rong (Left) sells jewels in Ruili city, west Yunnan.
Li Rong, a jeweler from Ruili city in Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture in west Yunnan province, has came to CSA Expo with her “treasures” once.
Here, she not only came across her favorite silk scarfs of Thai style, but also met a Myanmar friend. The exotic products and cross-border friendship have left her a joyful memory, encouraging her to tour in Myanmar for more gems.
The CSA Expo is everlasting. Stories of international merchants, visitors, volunteers and friends will never end, adding radiance to the Expo.
Reporting by Huang Yixian and Zu Hongbing; Rewriting by Wang Yunya; Photo by Yunnan Daily