Foreign guests learn kuaiban (rhythmic bamboo clappers) at Xiaoliyuan Crosstalk Teahouse in Tianjin, North China, on Dec 16, 2025. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2025 "A Date with China" international media delegation concluded a three-day visit to Tianjin, getting a glimpse of the city's development in preserving intangible cultural heritages, driving cutting-edge technological innovations, and advancing global vocational education.

To get a taste of Tianjin's vibrant intangible cultural heritage, the group visited Tianjin Pingju Opera Theatre, Guangdong Guild Hall, and Xiaoliyuan Crosstalk Teahouse, where they donned traditional opera costumes, practiced kuaiban (rhythmic bamboo clappers), and experienced the art of "speaking, imitating, teasing, and singing".

A dialogue on the 2025 "A Date with China" tour is held in Tianjin, North China, on Dec 17, 2025. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

On Ancient Culture Street, Italian blogger Andrea stepped up to the griddle and tried his hand at making jianbing guozi (Chinese pancake wrap), joking, "You may have seen Italians make pizza, but this is probably the first time you've seen an Italian make jianbing guozi." The finished product was met with enthusiastic praise from the group.

The group also experienced Clay Figure Zhang and saw a shadow puppetry performance of Journey to the West. Bruno Falci, a reporter from TeleSUR, said that foreign journalists eagerly want to understand these art forms, and seized every chance to deeply explore Chinese culture.

The international media group also got a firsthand experience of Tianjin's technological vitality at industrial parks and tech enterprises. American blogger Dante Munoz showed great interest in cutting-edge products, trying out foldable tablets, AI chat assistant, VR immersive experience, and intelligent health robots.

An Italian blogger tries to make a jianbing guozi (Chinese pancake wrap) by himself in Tianjin, North China, on Dec 16, 2025. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

"Chinese products are high-tech and reliable; enterprises grasp global needs well," Munoz said, adding that he's looking forward to better localized products.

The intelligent upgrading of Tianjin Metro Line 1 also amazed global guests. The line features a driver monitoring system that uses AI facial analysis to real-time track drivers' facial features and postures as well as detect fatigue and distraction. A 360-degree vehicle exterior image detection system can identify loose screws and foreign objects, while an intelligent vehicle operation and maintenance system monitors door operations, driving modes, and traction braking levels. This human-machine collaboration enhances efficiency and reduces maintenance costs.