Global youths celebrate with beer at the Taicang Rothenburg 19th Oktoberfest on Aug 8, 2024. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The festive spirit has been flowing freely across Taicang, Jiangsu province, as the town celebrates the Taicang Rothenburg 19th Oktoberfest. The annual event opened on Aug 8 and runs until Aug 16. Themed events being held include Rothenburg Night, Ice and Snow Night, Qixi Festival Night and Sino-Germany Cultural Night.

In addition to these, the festival continues its tradition of bringing the joys of food and drink, including German beer and sausages, to visitors and highlights Taicang's role as a key hub for German business in China. It also serves as a bridge that brings Chinese and German cultures together, with music and dance being prominent.

During the festival business representatives and Chinese tourists mingled, toasting and savoring friendship.

One of those at the festival, Dylan Walker, an American journalist living in China, said: "This gives me the chance to enjoy a large celebration that brings together people from different regions and countries, showcasing the fusion of diverse languages and cultures. It's clear that Taicang revels in its reputation as the hometown of German companies in China and as one of the happiest cities you could wish for."

The beer festival is one of the most prominent and influential cultural exchange events, reflecting Taicang's collaboration with Germany. As the sole Sino-German Enterprise Cooperation Base jointly designated by China's Ministry of Commerce and Germany's Ministry of Economy, Taicang is at the forefront of Sino-German economic and cultural exchanges.

Over 30 years the town has attracted more than 500 German companies and has expanded collaboration beyond economic and trade to include culture, sports, education, public welfare, social management and ecological protection. Many Germans now live and work in Taicang, considering it a home away from home.