Four Must-dos for Heads of State in Xi’an

2015-05-14  Source: Chinaculture.org

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, May 14, 2015. 

On May 14, 2015, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his first trip to China since taking office a year ago. He took Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi Province in northwest China, as his first stop in the country.

Since 1979, more than 200 heads of state have visited Xi’an during a state visit to China, including Queen Elizabeth II, Emperor Akihito and presidents and prime ministers from several countries.

Without any doubt, Xi'an found favor with foreign leaders for its rich history, strong cultural atmosphere and dynamic economy in recent years. Let’s have a look at the must-dos for visiting heads of states in the city.

Bill Clinton, former US president, visited the Terracotta Warriors in 1998 with his family.

1． Visit the historic sites

More than 3,000 years of history including over 1,100 years as the capital city of ancient dynasties have endowed Xi'an with an amazing historical heritage. Tourists marvel at the numerous historical sites and cultural relics in and around the city.

Almost every senior politician chooses to visit at least one historic site in Xi’an. As the Eighth Wonder of the World and a UNESCO world cultural heritage site, the Terracotta Warriors are undoubtedly the No. 1 tourist attraction.

Lee Kuan Yew, the former prime minister of Singapore, was the first foreign leader to visit the site in 1976 when the museum was still under construction. UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon once wrote an inscription for the museum in Chinese, and told the museum staff that the Terracotta Warriors were the best reflection of the splendid culture and exquisite technology of ancient China, which deeply impressed him.

Followed the foodstep of other world leaders, Modi finished the trip to the Terracotta Warriors on his first day in China.For the following stop, he went to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Ci’en Temple, where Buddhist monk Xuanzang translated scriptures after an epic 17-year journey to India.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda is also a hotspot. Emperor Akihito of Japan and President Ram Baran Yadav of Nepal visited the temple and spoke with the monks when they were in Xi’an.

Queen Elizabeth II looked carefully at the Trracotta Warriors and Horses when she visited Xi'n in 1986.

Emperor Akihito (at far left) visited the temple in 1992.

Former U.S President Bill Clinton attended the welcoming ceremony in 1998.

2．Attend a traditional Chinese welcoming ceremony

For the heads of states, it's common to attend welcoming ceremonies, but a traditional Chinese welcoming ceremony is unique. With reference to ancient literature, the city revived ancient ceremonies, mixing royal etiquette of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) together with local folk traditions.

Normally, the ceremony is held at the south gate of Xi'an's City Wall, which is one of the oldest and best preserved city walls in China. Former US president Bill Clinton was the first foreign leader to attend the ceremony in 1998. When he took the gold key, which symbolized opening the gate of friendship between the two countries, he smiled happily.

Sometimes, foreign leaders receive the ceremony at the airport as a surprise. Leonid Krafchuk, former President of Ukraine, experienced such a surprise welcome in 2009 when he attended the Euro-China Economic Forum in Xi’an.

“Xi'an is such a hospitable city. I know that it is the first capital of China as well as the home of traditional culture. Now I have found out more about its attractions,” he said.

Former Mexico President Vicente Fox Quesada attended the welcoming ceremony in 2012.

Former President of Ukraine Leonid Krafchuk attended the ceremony at the airport in Xi’an.

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, visited the Xi’an branch of Siemens in 2010.

3. Negotiate collaborations with the local government and companies

Though it is an inland city, the economic vitality of Xi'an has increased quickly in recent years. More and more foreign companies set up branches in the city, or have sought cooperation with local factories. As heads of state, the leaders will find all ways and means to boost such cooperation.

In 2013, president of South Korea Geun-hye visited the Xi'an branch of Samsung Corp during her first China trip. According to Indian media, there are many similarities between Xi’an and Bangalore, the "Silicon Valley of India". The two cities have cooperated on software as well as pharmaceuticals in recent years. Prime Minister Modi’s visit may greater opportunities for collaboration.

Since President Xi Jinping put forward The Belt and Road Intiative in 2013, Xi'an has become the new starting line for The Silk Road Economic Belt. According to Hu Shisheng, director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, Prime Minister Modi’s visit marks a welcome for China's "One Belt, One Road Initiative".

President of South Korea Geun-hye visited the Xi’an branch of Samsung Corp in 2013.

Yangrou Paomo is a typical Xi'an specialty.

4. Taste local specialties and snacks

Xi'an is known as the "Capital of Delicacies". Indeed, one of the joys of visiting Xi’an is tasting its local snacks. Yangrou Paomo is a typical Xi'an specialty that consists of a mutton soup served with wheat flour flat bread. The hard bread is broken up and added to the soup. Then the mixture is eaten along with pickled garlic cloves.

Xi’an locals prefer food made from flour. Noodles and dumplings, which are always filling and warming, are the local staples. Steamed bread is the most popular staple. German Prime Minister Angela Merkel received Huamo (art steamed bread) on her 56th birthday when she visited Xi’an.

Xi’an jujube, famous for its sweetness, is also well known in China. When Kim Il-sung visited Xi’an in 1982, he was fond of the jujubes, and brought 300 jujube trees back to North Korea.

Kim Il-sung visited Xi’an in 1982.

Prime Minister Merkel received Chinese “birthday cakes” at Tang Paradise.