A cultural bridge between Oman and China

A fascinating journey into the depth and diversity of Chinese civilisation — from ancient pottery traditions and the finesse of woven silks to the refined rituals of tea culture — unfolded at the Amazing China cultural exchange exhibition and evening held at Crowne Plaza Qurum.
Chinese culture, a rich tapestry shaped by thousands of years of history, places strong emphasis on family, harmony, respect for elders and social cohesion, while embracing regional diversity within a framework influenced by values such as 'face' — representing reputation and dignity.
The event also highlighted the deep-rooted historical ties between Oman and China, forged through the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

Omani merchants such as Al Qassim and Al Nadhar bin Maymoun are recorded to have travelled to China centuries ago, settling there and contributing to early cultural exchange, including the construction of mosques such as the Grand Mosque in Guangzhou around 1009 CE. These early links, centred on trade in frankincense and silk, have evolved into modern cultural, educational and tourism partnerships.
The exhibition was attended by Liu Jian, Ambassador of China to the Sultanate of Oman, along with diplomats, educators, members of the Chinese community and representatives of Chinese companies operating in Oman.

Organised by Dongfang Geophysical Exploration Company in collaboration with China-Arab Television, the event brought together around 150 participants. Among them were Tian Jianhui, Project Manager of Dongfang Geophysical Exploration Company (BGP) in Oman; Ge Jia, Deputy General Manager of China-Arab Television; representatives from four Omani secondary schools offering Chinese language programmes; and members of the wider Chinese and Omani communities.

The evening offered a kaleidoscopic showcase of Chinese cultural expressions, including dragon and lion dances, traditional Qipao and Hanfu costume displays, Hulusi solo and Guqin performances, martial arts demonstrations, calligraphy, tea art, traditional Chinese dances, Sichuan opera face-changing and a special segment featuring Chinese songs.
Complementing the performances were interactive heritage and craft workshops, allowing visitors to experience Chinese paper-cutting, lucky knot making, calligraphy, movable typography, gold painting, opera mask painting, and the creation of traditional bracelets and perfume sachets.

“As part of people’s engagement, we arranged surprise gifts for the audience. Visitors could collect participation stamps from the workshops and exchange them for special gifts,” the organisers told Observer.
Cultural exchanges between Oman and China continue to grow, with Sultan Qaboos University and the Chinese Embassy in Oman regularly hosting language and cultural events, while archaeological cooperation under Unesco's Silk Roads Programme further strengthens heritage ties. In parallel, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has been actively promoting Oman as a destination for Chinese tourists through targeted initiatives and digital platforms in Chinese.