Participants join a fun run during the 2025 Yiwu Silk Road Cultural Carnival. [Photo/Tide News]

The 2025 Yiwu Silk Road Cultural Carnival began at the Futian Wetland Park in Futian subdistrict, Yiwu county-level city in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on Sept 27.

At the opening ceremony, 11 "international ambassadors" were appointed. Among them was Ammar Albaadani, a Yemeni doctor who has lived and worked in Yiwu for a decade. He said that Yiwu is not only a hub of the Silk Road but also a warm home.

Following the ceremony, the Silk Road fun run began, with over 300 participants running along the scenic wetland park trails. Interactive stops and supply stations along the route added to the enjoyment of the event.

Families gathered at six "Silk Road Exploration" interactive points, where children enthusiastically completed tasks and collected stamps. The food zone, featuring delicacies like Turkish kebabs, drew large crowds.

Organizers distributed nearly 27,000 discount vouchers to promote consumer welfare and economic growth.

This year's carnival also introduced a business discussion meeting, where foreign and domestic merchants engaged in casual business negotiations over coffee and food by a lotus pond.

Additional highlights included a square dance competition, the first Yiwu International Chefs Competition, and a Silk Road music concert in the evening.

Futian subdistrict has long leveraged its trade culture advantages to promote international cultural exchanges, hosting over 1,500 annual events that benefit more than 200,000 residents.

Chen Xizhou, secretary of Futian subdistrict's Party Working Committee, emphasized that this year's carnival, held ahead of National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, is a cultural tribute that fosters international friendship and shows Yiwu's open and inclusive identity.