A cultural exchange activity highlighting Shandong's intangible cultural heritages was held in Hong Kong from May 23 to 24 to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China and to enhance Shandong-Hong Kong cultural exchanges.

The opening ceremony of the Shandong Intangible Cultural Heritage Exchange Activity in Hong Kong is held on May 23 at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. [Photo/sdwht.gov.cn]

The event, which took place at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was jointly organized by the CPPCC Shandong Committee, the United Front Work Department of the Shandong Provincial Committee of the CPC, the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shandong Provincial People's Government.

The treasures and iconic cultural landmarks of Shandong province exhibited by the province's 17 inheritors of intangible cultural heritage included intricate paper-cutting, lifelike clay figurines, traditional wickerwork articles and the ancient art form, inner painting.

Li Zhenbao, a folk artist from Shandong province, teaches visitors to make dough figures at a cultural exchange activity held in Hong Kong. [Photo by Li Peng/Xinhua]

Professional craftsmen also showcased their expert skills during the event, which attracted huge crowds eager to try their hands at the traditional Chinese crafts.

According to Li Guolin, deputy head of the Shandong Department of Culture, the intangible heritages are the essence of thousands of years of Shandong culture. The event was expected to allow Kong Kong people to better appreciate that culture, help promote ties between Shandong and Hong Kong and help Shandong culture take a better position on the world stage.