Marine Jibladze, head of the Confucius Institute at the Free University of Tbilisi in Georgia, carefully chose silver bracelets, chopsticks, and traditional Chinese stickers at Sanfang Qixiang, a historic and cultural area in the city of Fuzhou, Fujian province, on October 29. She planned to take these Fujian-inspired treasures back to Georgia as gifts for her friends and family.

Marine Jibladze, head of the Confucius Institute at the Free University of Tbilisi in Georgia, shopping for Fujian-themed gifts in Fuzhou's Sanfang Qixiang, a historical and cultural area. [Photo/China News Service]

"We often cook Chinese food at home, and I encourage my kids to use chopsticks," Marine said while picking Chinese zodiac-themed chopsticks for her children, one pair for the Year of the Monkey and another for the Pig.

Elsewhere in the city, Radev Igor, a renowned sinologist and chair scholar at the Knowledge Center of Sinology at the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, admired the intricate architecture and historic alleys of Sanfang Qixiang. It was his first time visiting Fuzhou, and he was captivated by its ancient buildings, saying, "Everything here is so fascinating. I'd love to stay longer and explore more."

From October 28 to 29, sinologists from around the world gathered in Fujian for the Second World Conference of Sinologists. They explored key historical sites in the cities of Fuzhou, Zhangzhou and Xiamen, including the Museum of Foochow Arsenal, Kuliang National Tourist Resort and Sanfang Qixiang.

"This is Chen Jitong. As a child, he was sent to study in France during the Qing Dynasty," explained Carsten Boyer Thoegersen, a Danish sinologist and former consul general in Shanghai, as he introduced Chen's portrait to scholars from countries including Brazil, Georgia, Iran and the United States at the Museum of Foochow Arsenal.

Carsten Boyer Thogersen, a Danish sinologist, introduces Chen Jitong, a Chinese diplomat and scholar during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), to international sinologists at the Museum of Foochow Arsenal on October 28. [Photo/China News Service]

Established in 1866, the Fuzhou Shipping Bureau served as China's administrative center for maritime affairs. Located in Fuzhou's Mawei district, it played a key role in strengthening China's naval power through shipbuilding and overseas education initiatives. Chen Jitong was one of the bureau's first students to be sent abroad to study in France.

Carsten, who has extensively researched prominent Chinese scholars like Chen, Gu Hongming and Lin Yutang, had anticipated an exhibit about Chen at the museum, and upon seeing it, stepped forward to provide an impromptu lecture for the visiting sinologists.

In 1884, Chen published The Chinese Painted by Themselves, a book that became a sensation in French society. Carsten recounted that his own research on the book had provided him with a deeper understanding of Chen's unique character.

During the visit, Marine frequently took photos and leafed through books on maritime history. "The written introduction will be more comprehensive and in-depth," she said.

"I'm eager to delve deeper into maritime culture," she added.

Approximately 20 kilometers away from the Museum of Foochow Arsenal lies the Kuliang National Tourist Resort, a favorite summer retreat for foreigners since the early 20th century. In Kuliang, foreign residents of Fuzhou once built villas, living side by side with villagers and leaving behind heartwarming stories. In recent years, over a hundred historical buildings linked to these early residents have been identified by the resort's management committee.

On October 28, sinologists from around the world visit the Kuliang Club. [Photo/China News Service]

"I never imagined foreigners and Chinese living together and building homes here," said a professor from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

Captivated by Kuliang's rich heritage, she added, "I've studied Sinology for over 30 years, but this is the first time I've heard of these beautiful Kuliang stories. I would love to return if given the chance."

Nearby, Cedar King Park is home to an ancient cedar tree, standing 30 meters tall, with a 25-meter-wide canopy and an 8.6-meter trunk circumference. Believed to be over 1,300 years old, this revered tree is honored with a commemorative stele and a shrine.

Deeply moved, Jose Augusto Salazar, an Ecuadorian sinologist and professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, lit three sticks of incense as a gesture of respect. Jose, who teaches Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhist philosophy, said, "This is my first time in Fujian. I've learned so much, and I can't wait to share this experience with my students."

Marine echoed his sentiments, saying she looks forward to sharing her experiences with her students back in Georgia, enriching their understanding of China and Fujian.