On June 20, the second day of the Dragon Boat Festival Break this year, the International Talent Club of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) launched its 2026 Cultural Experience Season at the Hainan Cultural Center in Haikou.

Dozens of international residents from the U.S., the U.K., Russia, Georgia, Germany, and Ghana were invited to immerse themselves in traditional Chinese culture.

Participants enjoyed performances of the Guqin (a seven-stringed zither) and Xiao (vertical flute), recitations of classical Chinese poetry, and authentic Hainanese folk songs. The event also featured interactive sessions, including learning basic Guqin techniques, crafting herbal sachets, and a traditional tea tasting.

International talents try their hand at the Guqin.

The event began with a welcoming address by the director of the Hainan Provincial Administration for Foreign Expats Affairs. This was followed by a sharing session in which representatives from the International Talent Club and expatriates working in sectors such as higher education and international trade discussed the resources available to the international community. Speakers highlighted how foreign professionals can balance a high-quality, relaxed lifestyle with their career aspirations in the rapidly developing Hainan FTP.

“I have been in Hainan for two and a half years, working as an English teacher in Sanya”, said Dallas Taylor from the US. Taylor, who is also a long-time Guqin lover, enjoyed the event very much. “This is actually my first time talking about and playing the Guqin in front of an international audience in China. It is refreshing to see people from all over the planet have a fresh eye on Chinese traditional culture, and I look forward to sharing my passion for it at similar events on other Chinese traditional festivals.”

Obimphe-Tattah Elvis, the CEO of Haikou Maidingding Retail Industry Co., Ltd. from Ghana, said his experience playing the Guqin was “amazing.” He was also inspired by what other international talents shared, learning about “many places in Hainan that I have no idea of before.” In his view, such events “are both entertaining and encouraging,” enabling foreign nationals to explore and achieve more in the Hainan Free Trade Port. He also praised the weather and lifestyle in Haikou, a city that has already become his second home.

Founded in July 2025, the International Talent Club of the Hainan Free Trade Port serves as a vital platform for connecting and supporting the province’s growing international community. It offers comprehensive services for those already residing in Hainan, as well as those looking to work, travel, or relocate to the island.