On July 14, in a summer afternoon brimming with cultural exchanges, an engaging Australian and Chinese international youth cultural exchange took place at the Rongqingtang TCM Cultural Center and Sachet Crafting Heritage Base located at 70 Jingyu Middle Road, Yangpu District. The international youth delved into the immersive experience of TCM culture and the art of sachet making, an intangible cultural heritage item.

Hosted by Shanghai Rongqingtang Industrial Development Co., Ltd., the event aimed to deepen Australian youth's understanding of the profound traditional Chinese culture through the unique charm of TCM. Present were Dong Xinwang, Member of the Standing Committee and Director of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Yangpu District Committee.

The mysterious TCM culture is far from dull

At 2 pm, over 20 Australian high school students journeyed across the ocean to the Rongqingtang TCM Cultural Center and Sachet Crafting Heritage Base for an up-close encounter with traditional Chinese TCM culture. "This marks the second time that Shanghai Rongqingtang has welcomed Australia-China International Youth Study Tour Group since January 2020," said Yu Dong, Director of the TCM Outpatient Department of Shanghai Rongqingtang. The event featured a more diverse array of activities, deeper cultural insights and richer outcomes.

Several TCM experts were on hand to provide professional explanations and demonstrations for the youth. They elucidated the principles of herb compatibility and the mechanisms of herbal effects in simple terms, offering the students a more direct appreciation of the wonders of Chinese medicine. They also demonstrated the process of preparing TCM pastes, making the students feel as if they were in an ancient pharmacy. During the demonstration of water-coated pill making, the experts deftly manipulated the herbal powder and water, soon presenting smooth and round water-coated pills to the audience.

Then, famous TCM practitioner Li Qizhong conducted diagnostic treatments for the youth through the traditional methods of "observation, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry and palpation", and patiently addressed their inquiries about TCM. "The mysterious TCM culture is far from dull," said an Australian student who experienced the precision and unique charm of TCM diagnosis firsthand.

Associate Chief Physician Lao Jiying's demonstrations and explanations of TCM therapies such as acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, Sanfu plasters and massage expanded the students' understanding. Under her guidance, slender silver needles seemed to come alive, precisely targeting the body's acupoints; the rise and fall of cupping glasses allowed the youth to sense the flow and transformation of their vital energy; the warmth of moxibustion was akin to the gentle caress of spring sunlight, bringing waves of comfort and relaxation.

"These traditional Chinese medical treatments, once only found in books and legends, have now become so vivid and accessible," marveled Qiu Zicheng, a student of Asian descent. Born in Australia, he has always yearned to delve deeper into Chinese culture, and this educational journey is also a "quest for roots" for him. Having acquired a wealth of TCM knowledge at Rongqingtang, he felt a profound resonance between the ancient wisdom of this medical practice and his own spirit.

Signing a cooperation agreement to spread "Chinese stories"

Rongqingtang, renowned for its sachets and recognized as a Shanghai intangible cultural heritage item, has garnered numerous international accolades. During the event, the students also engaged in hands-on lessons to make Chinese herbal sachets. The sachets originated as herbal pouches worn by ginseng collectors in Changbai Mountain to ward off mosquitoes. In the 1990s, Rong Aijuan, Chairman of Shanghai Rongqingtang Industrial Development Co., Ltd., refined the sachets multiple times, using pure natural Chinese medicinal materials for the filling, meticulously sewn within exquisite Jiangnan embroidery fabrics, with even the embroidery threads being specially customized.

Today, Rongqingtang has developed a variety of sachets with different health benefits, from invigorating the mind to preventing colds and coronary heart disease...As these intangible cultural heritage handicrafts are sold worldwide, they also carry and narrate the "Chinese story.

"The profound TCM culture must be passed down, and the youth are the foundation," said Yu. He saw the international youth cultural exchange between Australia and China as an organic vehicle for embedding Chinese traditional culture in the hearts of the youth. To bring traditional culture to overseas youth in a more youthful and vibrant manner, the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce in Sydney and Shanghai Rongqingtang Industrial Development Co., Ltd. have officially signed a cooperation agreement to establish Australia-China International Youth Cultural Study Base. This marks a solid step forward in youth cultural exchanges between the two sides, more effectively promotes the inheritance and development of TCM culture, and lays the groundwork for future regular youth cultural exchanges between Australia and China.

Additionally, Australia's Jiaqi TCM Clinic and the TCM Outpatient Department of Shanghai Rongqingtang signed a cooperation agreement on TCM technology and cultural exchanges, further deepening their collaboration in the transmission and innovation of TCM technology.

The event also featured demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage skills by successors such as Rong and Yu. Traditional crafts like sachet making, Shanghai dough modeling, refreshment making, Shanghai traditional chanting art and making of Chinese knot buttons were showcased, allowing the youth to experience the charm and depth of Chinese traditional culture firsthand. They said they have gained a lot from this experience.

Through this event, the Australian youth not only deepened their understanding of Chinese culture, but also built a bridge of friendship in their hearts. Looking ahead, Shanghai Rongqingtang will further strengthen overseas cooperation and exchanges, working with people around the world to advance the preservation and development of TCM culture and Chinese culture.