Han Ximin, Hu Zhixin ximhan@126.com SHEKOU International Culture Week was officially launched Saturday with wide participation by foreign and local residents in Shekou Subdistrict, Nanshan District, with the theme focusing on Korean culture. The ceremony soon came into a festive mood when a German singer started a rap “I Love Shenzhen.” It was followed by dance performances of residents in Korean dresses, with tradition long drums and a Taekwondo demonstration by teenagers. Visitors living in the neighborhood can enjoy traditional Korean foods like kimchi and rice cakes. Addressing the opening ceremony of the culture week, Lan Tao, secretary of Shekou Sudistrict CPC Committee, said Shekou Subdistrict is home to 8,600 foreigners from 106 countries. Among them, foreigners from South Korea make up about one quarter of the total foreign population. Shekou International Culture Week will be held annually with themes highlighting different countries’ cultures. It is hoped that residents can experience the multiculturalism, and encourage and attract more like-minded and enthusiastic Chinese and foreign residents to create an environment of inclusive co-construction and development of Shekou’s international block. The sub-district government office has worked out a three-year action plan to pilot an international block program proposed by Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office, according to Lan. In the construction of an international block, Shekou Sub-district Government Office has carried out various distinctive cultural activities to create a sense of belonging for foreign residents, and enhance the integration of Chinese and foreign residents. Shekou, which has the highest density of foreign residents in Shenzhen, had been chosen as one of the 20 areas in the city to pilot the international block program in September last year. Under the three-year program, Shenzhen will complete construction of at least 15 international blocks by the end of 2022, with great improvements to workplaces, life, ecology and the humanistic environment. The blocks will set an example for the city’s international block network that will take shape by 2025. According to the program, Shekou will focus on foreigner-related management and services, as well as cultural exchanges. More effort will be put into international medical services and international education. The Shenzhen Municipal Foreign Affairs Office began research on building international blocks in 2018 and implemented the program at the end of last year. | 