Nearly 100 foreign friends and local citizens take part in the Coconut City International Salon held in Haikou, Hainan province, on Sept 24. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Hainan province hosted a series of cross-cultural Mid-Autumn Festival events, inviting foreign professionals and their families to gather for an immersive experience of traditional Chinese folk culture. The events aimed to build bridges of cultural exchange and emotional connection while showcasing Hainan's open, inclusive character and its warm appeal as a destination for international talent.

Nearly 100 foreign friends and local citizens take part in the Coconut City International Salon held in Haikou, Hainan province, on Sept 24. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In Haikou, the Coconut City International Salon brought Chinese and foreign performers together for a community arts showcase under the theme "Our Festival: Mid-Autumn". Nearly 100 foreign friends and local citizens took part. The performances blended three elements: traditional Chinese culture, local Hainan customs, and exotic styles. Chinese and foreign artists shared the same stage as guests enjoyed the performances and talked about reunion, experiencing the cultural charm of traditional Chinese festivals in an immersive way.

Nearly 100 foreign friends and local citizens take part in the Coconut City International Salon held in Haikou, Hainan province, on Sept 24. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Julio Cesar Jimenez Ortiz, a Cuban keyboardist, called the event a celebration where all cultures come together. "It's a great thing for Hainan. I'm so glad to be part of it, especially seeing all people from different backgrounds, cultures, and different music," he said. "It would be great if it repeats more often. I will tell them Haikou is a great place, like the place where I come from."

Nearly 100 foreign friends and local citizens take part in the Coconut City International Salon held in Haikou, Hainan province, on Sept 24. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Liset Gonzalez, a teacher at Hainan Yingya St Peter's School, also from Cuba, sang a song titled The Rain Fell on Haikou, which she described as a tribute to the city's beauty. "It mentions Nandu River and the things to do around Haikou," she said. "I think it's a great opportunity to come out with this song and for everyone to enjoy."

Nearly 100 foreign friends and local citizens take part in the Coconut City International Salon held in Haikou, Hainan province, on Sept 24. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Svajunas Urnikis, another teacher at Hainan Yingya St Peter's School, from Lithuania, said the rain in Haikou "is always happy rain". He added that the event was a great opportunity not only to get to know one another, but also to celebrate the beginning of Mid-Autumn Festival.

Researchers and their families from more than 10 countries celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival in Sanya on Sept 23. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In Sanya, the Yazhou Tropical Science International Talent Station also held a celebration event that drew researchers and their families from more than 10 countries. Gathering between the mountains and the sea, participants immersed themselves in traditional Mid-Autumn Festival customs, discussed new opportunities for scientific and technological cooperation, and deepened friendships in an atmosphere of reunion, strengthening momentum for Hainan's scientific innovation industry and talent exchange.