Chinese wedding in Sanya draws 66 foreign guests

A wedding ceremony, rich in traditional Chinese elements, unfolded warmly in a restaurant in downtown Sanya on the morning of Sept 9. What stood out at this celebration were the 66 international faces from over 20 countries. These guests traveled from far and wide to Sanya to witness the couple's union and savor the charm of Chinese wedding traditions in a joyous setting.

Foreign guests pose for photos at the wedding. [Photo/Sanya Daily]

The groom, Shen Tengfei, and the bride, Wu Yana, both work at Hainan Medical University. The foreign guests, who came from afar, are disciples of the groom's father, Shen Zhi. He is the founder and leader of Shen-style tai chi, president of the World Shen-style Tai Chi Federation, an international wushu judge, and a professor at the China International Wushu Promotion Center.

Over the years, he has passionately spread Chinese tai chi culture globally, spending about 10 months each year teaching abroad and residing in Sanya, where he offers tai chi lessons at places like Dadonghai, drawing martial artists worldwide.

For Shen Zhi's overseas disciples, the relationship with their master is like family. When they heard about Shen Tengfei's wedding, they eagerly made their way to Sanya from over 20 countries to offer their blessings to the couple.

During the wedding, international friends were keen to take photos with the newlyweds and present thoughtfully prepared gifts. Despite language differences, the joy was shared. The unique customs of a Chinese wedding allowed the foreign guests to experience the warmth and romance of Chinese traditions.

Foreign guests sing together happily at the wedding. [Photo/Sanya Daily]

Shen Zhi's extensive efforts to promote tai chi internationally have made him a cultural ambassador who shares China's story with the world. The journey of his foreign disciples to attend the wedding highlights the friendly exchanges between different cultures.

In recent years, Sanya has utilized its rich cultural and tourism resources to host various cultural and sports exchange activities, continually expanding its international cultural exchange network.

Traditional wushu, a gem of Chinese culture, continues to serve as a bridge, inviting people worldwide to Sanya and fostering mutual understanding through cultural interaction.