A group photo of the distinguished guests and the Xiamen delegation at the art festival. [Photo provided to en.fao.xm.gov.cn]
The 2026 Surabaya Cross Culture International Folk Art Festival recently drew a crowd of over 1,000 local residents, with officials such as Ye Su, Chinese Consul General in Surabaya, and Lilik Arijanto, secretary of the City (Sekda) of Surabaya, Indonesia, among the distinguished guests.
Ye attended the event on July 11 at the invitation of the organizers, joining diplomatic envoys from various countries stationed in Surabaya for the celebration. The festival featured vibrant cultural performances and exchanges, underscoring the city's commitment to fostering international understanding through the arts.
The festival, running from July 10 to 12, brought together artists from China, India, Thailand, Germany, and various parts of Indonesia, including Jakarta and Bali. The Xiamen delegation staged excerpts from the Gezai opera Liangxiao and a signature dance piece Dream of the Sea, while Chinese movies such as My Country, My Parents were also screened at the venue.
Ye extended congratulations to Lilik on the 20th anniversary of the sister‑city relationship between Xiamen and Surabaya. He noted that the Surabaya Cross‑Cultural Arts Festival provides a platform for cultural exchanges among nations, effectively boosting people‑to‑people and cultural ties between China and Indonesia and vividly reflecting the deep friendship between the two peoples.
Uruguay will grant visa-free entry to Chinese citizens.
China has decided to extend visa-free entry for Russian citizens until Dec 31, 2027, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said on May 20.
