Fuzhou Guling: A Century of China-US Civil Diplomacy and Cultural Exchange
Crhk · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
Guling, a scenic area approximately 12 kilometers from downtown Fuzhou with an average altitude of 750 meters, became a summer haven for foreign missionaries and businessmen during the 1920s-30s . At its peak, around 3,000 foreigners from 21 countries lived in Guling, with early residents predominantly British . The area's fame as a foreign enclave ultimately gave rise to the internationally recognized "Guling Story," symbolizing over a century of Sino-foreign civil diplomacy . In 1992, then-Fuzhou Party Secretary Xi Jinping read an article about UC Berkeley physics professor Gardner's childhood memories of Guling and his lifelong wish to return, which prompted Xi to invite Gardner's widow to China for a reunion . This story has since become a diplomatic touchstone, referenced by Xi multiple times during his diplomatic visits to the United States .
Key Points
- Fuzhou became one of five treaty ports forced open after the 1842 Opium War, attracting foreign missionaries and merchants to settle in the area .
- Guling's daily temperature variation creates cooler evenings around 25°C, despite daytime highs reaching 33°C, making it comfortable for foreign residents accustomed to milder climates .
- A unique "hello chives" (嗨菜) variety was introduced from India/Southeast Asia by foreign residents; local Chinese misheard their greeting as "hi" when pointing at the vegetable .
- Guling received approximately 100,000 overseas visitors last year, with Hong Kong and Macau visitors accounting for about 20 percent, and roughly 50,000 European and American guests seeking ancestral connections .
- The area, now a national-level tourist resort, continues serving three villages with approximately 2,000 local residents while preserving its multicultural heritage .
Why It Matters
The Guling Story represents a tangible example of how grassroots cultural exchanges can bridge nations, offering a counterpoint to diplomatic tensions at the governmental level . As China-US relations face ongoing uncertainties, Guling's annual接待 of tens of thousands of American and European descendants seeking their family roots demonstrates the enduring power of personal connections across generations . The area's ongoing efforts to expand exchange channels and share stories of Sino-foreign friendship could contribute to rebuilding trust between ordinary citizens of both countries .
The Guling Story represents a tangible example of how grassroots cultural exchanges can bridge nations, offering a counterpoint to diplomatic tensions at the governmental level . As China-US relations face ongoing uncertainties, Guling's annual接待 of tens of thousands of American and European descendants seeking their family roots demonstrates the enduring power of personal connections across generations . The area's ongoing efforts to expand exchange channels and share stories of Sino-foreign friendship could contribute to rebuilding trust between ordinary citizens of both countries .