The Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling, one of the founders of the People's Republic of China, is where she spent her final 18 years in Beijing. In the residence's courtyard stand two centuries-old crabapple trees that still burst with blossoms each spring.
Decades ago, Soong (1893-1981) cherished the flowers and often invited her friends to stroll under the blooming trees. This year, with the arrival of spring, guests from more than 50 countries and international organizations were invited to admire the flowers during the 2026 Crabapple Gala and Poetry Party on April 3.
The event featured a vibrant fusion of cultures: Chinese Peking Opera, multilingual poetry recitals, and instrumental medleys featuring Mongolian long tune, Korean pansori, erhu (a two-stringed fiddle), and African drums, alongside classical dance and interactive traditional art.
"This spring gathering not only showcases the elegant charm of Chinese culture, but also brings together the rich hues of diverse civilizations … I hope you can share in the warmth and vitality of cultural exchange through flowers and art today," says Zhang Jiming, vicechair of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation.
Michael Crook, chairman of the International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives, recited a poem by Song Dynasty (960-1279) poet Yang Wanli.
Crook, the son of British revolutionary David Crook and Canadian educator and anthropologist Isabel Crook, who pioneered English-language teaching in China, says he chose the poem for its depiction of crabapple blossoms after rain, as Beijing had recently welcomed clear skies after days of rain.
Crook says that having grown up in China, he developed a deep appreciation for Chinese poetry. With his mother's love of verse and her habit of reciting English poems to her children, he became equally familiar with both traditions.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. Liu Xianfa, the special representative of the Chinese government on African affairs, says this event is also a special occasion to celebrate this enduring friendship.
Over the past seven decades, Chinese and African people have supported each other in their pursuits of independence and development and have walked shoulder to shoulder on their respective paths. The friendship forged by earlier generations of leaders on both sides has since taken deep root and continued to flourish, says Liu.
"The very site we stand on today, the former residence of Soong Ching Ling, bears witness to China-Africa friendship, as Soong once welcomed many African friends here and made significant contributions to advancing these relations," says Liu.
The event also featured interactive booths where guests could participate in hands-on cultural experiences, including calligraphy and tea ceremonies.
Ostilda C. O. Hughes, a PhD student from Sierra Leone at Peking University, tried her hand at making Tang Dynasty (618-907) decocted tea. She ground the tea leaves in a pouch, sifted them, and then brewed the tea. Finally, she drank a bowl of the tea she had prepared.
"Back home I have not experienced making tea like this. It is a firsthand glimpse into how ancient Chinese tea was prepared. It tastes good, even though a bit of salt is added," she says.
