Fujian: Where the spirit of the maritime silk road meets nature and friendship

A memorable cruise along Fuzhou’s Jin’an River offers international media delegates an opportunity to discover the province’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and spirit of friendship.
A gentle breeze swept across the Jin’an River, carrying the pleasant fragrance of flowers along its banks. Birds sang from the branches of trees, while colourful flowers added charm to the surrounding landscape. As our boat slowly moved along the river, the beautiful scenery immediately caught the attention of media delegates from different countries.
“Wow! What beautiful views!” Several delegates exclaimed almost simultaneously, expressing their admiration for the peaceful surroundings.
For a moment, everyone seemed to forget their busy schedules of meetings and professional activities, allowing themselves to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province in southeastern China.
Fujian is a province with a rich maritime history, distinctive culture and beautiful natural landscapes. Located along China’s southeastern coast, it has long served as an important gateway for international trade and cultural exchanges. It is closely associated with the ancient Maritime Silk Road, particularly through the coastal city of Quanzhou, which became one of the world’s major maritime trading ports during the Song and Yuan dynasties, according to a message of a high ranking official of Fujian province at the 2026 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road which organised in Fujian province on November 3-4.

Centuries ago, merchant ships travelled from Fujian to different parts of Asia and beyond, carrying silk, porcelain, tea and other valuable goods. Along these maritime routes, trade went hand in hand with cultural exchanges, connecting people, traditions and civilisations across the seas. This historical legacy continues to reflect Fujian’s long-standing connections with the outside world.
Against this historical background, our cruise along the Jin’an River offered a different perspective on the province, allowing us to appreciate not only its historical heritage but also its natural beauty and welcoming atmosphere.

A relaxing journey along the Jin’an River
The Jin’an River is one of Fuzhou’s urban waterways, forming part of the city’s wider river network. Its riverside scenery, greenery, bridges and cultural displays provide residents and visitors with opportunities to enjoy the city from a different perspective.
When we arrived at the pier, an interesting discussion began among several delegates about which type of boat would be more suitable for the trip. Should we choose an open-air boat to enjoy the fresh breeze, or an enclosed boat where we could sit comfortably inside?
A Vietnamese friend quickly suggested taking the enclosed boat, explaining that the weather was quite hot. After a brief discussion, we agreed with the suggestion and boarded the boat.
More than ten delegates joined the journey, sitting together as the boat gradually moved away from the pier. Everyone appeared eager to discover the scenery along the riverbanks. Some were busy taking photographs, while others recorded videos to capture the beautiful surroundings.
Looking through the windows, I noticed several birds resting on tree branches. Some were singing beautiful songs, filling the air with natural melodies. Their sounds reminded me of birdsongs I had heard in certain places in Laos. For a moment, I felt a familiar connection with home, despite being far away.
It was a small but memorable experience, reminding me that nature has a special way of connecting people regardless of their nationality or cultural background.
As the boat continued its journey, we also came across paintings depicting various river activities and cultural events organised in the area. Similar artistic displays could be seen on the walls of the Empark Exhibition Grand Hotel, adding colour and character to the surrounding landscape.
These artistic elements made the journey more interesting, allowing us to appreciate not only the natural scenery but also the cultural activities and local character of Fuzhou.
More than a sightseeing trip
We spent more than an hour enjoying the natural scenery, colourful flowers and peaceful atmosphere along both banks of the Jin’an River. It was a welcome opportunity to relax after our busy schedules of meetings, discussions and other professional activities.
Throughout the journey, delegates took numerous photographs together, capturing smiles, shared moments and the beautiful surroundings. For us, these photographs were more than simple travel memories. They represented the friendships we developed and the experiences we had shared while meeting colleagues from different countries.
Although we came from different cultural backgrounds and represented different media organisations, we shared a common interest in journalism, communication and promoting greater understanding among people.
The cruise provided an informal setting for delegates to interact, exchange experiences and strengthen personal connections beyond the conference room. It reminded us that international friendship is built not only through formal meetings and official discussions but also through simple moments of sharing, laughter and enjoying new experiences together.
In many ways, this experience reflected the continuing spirit of the Maritime Silk Road. In the past, maritime routes connected countries and people through trade, travel and cultural exchanges. Today, international media cooperation, communication and people-to-people exchanges continue to build bridges between nations in new ways.
As the cruise gradually came to an end, we carried with us not only photographs of the beautiful Jin’an River and its surroundings but also warm memories of the time spent together.
Fujian’s historical legacy, natural beauty and cultural richness offered us an opportunity to discover another side of China. Yet, perhaps the most valuable part of the journey was the friendship shared among people who had travelled from different parts of the world.
Centuries ago, ships sailing along the Maritime Silk Road connected distant lands and brought people closer together. Today, although the ways of connecting have changed, the spirit remains the same. Through journalism, cultural exchanges and shared experiences, people continue to build bridges of understanding, friendship and cooperation across borders.

By Phon Thikeo
 (Latest Update November 12, 2026)