BEIJING – A vibrant initiative hosted by the China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC), a group of foreign journalists including myself from the Tehran Times, gathered in Beijing’s unique painting class and went beyond mere artistic expression.
Under the guidance of experts of Mr. Tao Hong, a teacher of the Mandarin Language and Cultural Center’s diplomatic mission, we learned the delicate skills of drawing our beloved pandas. When I soaked the brush in ink, I realized that I would not only create an image of this gentle giant, but also return to my childhood.
I have experienced a deep appreciation for this exceptional opportunity. The painting class surpassed typical art lessons. It evoked the joy of creativity and emphasized the importance of cultural connections as a nostalgic journey into the complex days of our childhood.
Taohong gave a speech with PowerPoint slides covering the extensive history of Chinese paintings and paintings, rock art, figure paintings, and depictions of flowers and birds.
She told me that pandas are typical Chinese animals and have considerable importance within the country. Tao Hong also said that some Iranians studied Chinese paintings under her guidance, and she praised their artistic abilities.
When I left class, I carried not only the pandas I painted, but also the laughs, stories and new friendships that would certainly enrich my journalistic efforts in the future.
The painting class, held in the heart of Beijing, is a mass of diplomatic settlements in jianguomenwai and is part of the CIPCC’s media exchange programme aimed at promoting cultural exchange and understanding among journalists from various countries.
The CIPCC’s efforts to bring together journalists from different backgrounds highlight the importance of common experiences in fostering mutual understanding. Art functions as both personal and collective language, allowing dialogue in a world that transcends barriers and often feels divided.
The CIPCC launched its 2025 media exchange program last month.
According to the CIPCC, this year’s initiative witnessed an extraordinary invitation expanded to more than 120 journalists from over 100 countries. This achievement sets a new benchmark for the largest number of journalists invited since the establishment of the Media Exchange Program in 2014.