Beijing Women's Federation

As early summer unfolds in full vitality, the 2026 Beijing celebration of the International Day of Families was successfully held on May 16 at Tongrentang Zhima Health Zero Store, a designated development base for women and children in the capital.

The event was jointly organized by the Beijing Women’s Federation, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, and Beijing NGO Association for International Exchange (BNAIE). Centered on the theme “Healthy Families, Healthy World,” the event aimed to implement President Xi Jinping’s important remarks on the importance of strengthening family values, respond to the UN International Day of Families initiative, and build a platform for cultural exchange and friendship amongst families from China and abroad.

More than 200 participants, including Chinese and international families and friends from over 20 countries, attended the event. Distinguished guests included Moraima Rodríguez Nuviola, spouse of the Cuban Ambassador to China, and Hoàng Thị Hương Giang, spouse of the Vietnamese Ambassador to China. Participants gathered to share family stories, experience Chinese culture, and deepen mutual understanding between peoples.

Senior officials present included Zhou Zhijun, Secretary of the Leading Party Members’ Group of Beijing Women’s Federation; Lei Xiaoning, Member of the Leading Party Members’ Group and Vice Chairperson of Beijing Women’s Federation; Guo Wenjie, Deputy Secretary of the Leading Party Members’ Group and Vice Mayor of Daxing District; and Fan Hong, Deputy Party Secretary and Chairperson of the Trade Union of Tongrentang Group.

Healthy World: Integrating Five-Element Wellness Wisdom and Family Values

Families are the root of civilization, while health forms the foundation of happiness. Drawing on the richness of traditional Chinese culture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) wellness philosophy, the event featured a special experience zone themed around the “Five Elements and Family Values,” allowing Chinese and international families to explore health concepts and cultivate positive family values through hands-on activities.

The Tunisian family of Wen Si crafted traditional herbal sachets designed to promote emotional well-being, with the fragrance of medicinal herbs conveying warmth and care. Gafarova from Azerbaijan carefully ground and blended medicinal herbs, immersing herself in the TCM philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature.

The Five-Animal Exercises experience area proved especially popular. Pedro from Brazil remarked, “The bird movements are so relaxing. I never expected Chinese wellness exercises to be this interesting.”

Meanwhile, Chinese and American families worked together to bake colorful “Five-Color Cookies,” discovering the cultural meanings of the Five Elements through both creativity and flavor.

The venue was filled with energy throughout the day. Students from the Experimental Primary School Affiliated to the Beijing Institute of Education (Daxing Campus) presented dynamic jump-rope performances, while performers from the Beijing Women’s Federation International Wushu Culture Center showcased the “Eighteen Arhats Fists,” demonstrating the strength and elegance of traditional Chinese martial arts.

Healthy Families: Connecting the World Through Families and Deepening Mutual Learning Among Civilizations

Using families as a bridge, the event fostered friendship across borders. Diplomatic families in China, foreign experts’ families, international friendship representatives, women officials from developing countries participating in training programs in China, and foreign media representatives gathered together with representatives of Beijing’s model families, recipients of the March 8th Red Banner Medal, and outstanding volunteers from the capital.

Chinese and international guests immersed themselves in traditional cultural experiences, including trying on cheongsam (qipao) and mamianqun (horse-face skirts). The spouse of the Vietnamese Ambassador commented, “They share a similar elegance with Vietnam’s ao dai, both reflecting the refined beauty of Eastern culture.” 

At the Health Culture Exchange Corner, families from different countries wrote down family mottos and shared wellness tips, conveying warmth and positive values through cultural exchange.

Mwathima, a female official from Tanzania participating in a training program in China, said, “The Chinese concept that ‘harmony in the family leads to prosperity in all undertakings’ is deeply meaningful. Combining traditional Chinese culture with modern family activities is a wonderful format, and I have made many good friends here.”

As a flagship people-to-people diplomacy event held continuously for 16 years, the Beijing Celebration of the International Day of Families continues to serve as an important bridge for civil exchanges. By connecting “small families” with the “big world,” the event enables family traditions and mutual learning among civilizations to resonate together, injecting lasting vitality into friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of China and other countries.

This year’s event was organized by the Beijing Women’s International Exchange Center and Tongrentang Zhima Health Zero Store, with strong support from the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Daxing District Women’s Federation, China Women’s University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and other institutions.