The Forbidden City in Beijing celebrates 100th Anniversary of Opening to the Public

On February 26, 2025, the eighth edition of the Friendship Art House cultural salon took place at the Shanghai branch of the Beijing Palace Museum, celebrating the rich history of the Forbidden City and traditional Chinese culture. 2025 marks the 100th year of the opening to the public of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The event welcomed over 40 international guests from nearly 20 countries, including diplomats, business representatives, and cultural enthusiasts eager to deepen their understanding of China’s heritage.

Among the distinguished guests were Pascal Buffin, Consul General of the Kingdom of Belgium in Shanghai; Maarten Willems, Head of Administration and Consular Affairs for the Netherlands; Barbara Staals, Senior Economic Policy Officer at the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Faron Melisse, Innovation Attaché at the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; and Jonathan Xu, Deputy General Manager of the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. Their presence highlighted the strong cultural and economic ties between the Benelux region and China.

Jointly organized by the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association and the Shanghai branch Palace Museum, the event was held with the support of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Mr. Zhou Hanmin, a senior member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and President of the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association, delivered a keynote speech at the event. He emphasized the significance of hosting the gathering at the Purple Forbidden City Academy, an extension of the Palace Museum, as a way to foster greater appreciation for China's cultural legacy and its continued preservation.

Throughout the afternoon, guests explored an exhibition at the academy, took part in a hands-on workshop recreating Song Dynasty tea-making techniques, dressed in traditional palace attire, and enjoyed a live performance of Chinese folk music. The interactive experiences sparked enthusiasm among attendees, with many fully engaging in the activities and expressing their fascination with the culture of the Forbidden City.

The event’s opening ceremony was led by Mr. Zhu Weimin, Vice President of the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association, and attended by key officials, including Mr. Zhang Xiaosong, Director of the Foreign Friendship Committee of the Shanghai Municipal Political Consultative Conference. The event also attracted media coverage, with journalists from Shanghai Television Urban Channel, Shanghai People's Broadcasting Station, and other outlets reporting on the day’s highlights.