During a visit to the Palace Museum in Beijing in January, veteran guide Wang Xiaoxin had the opportunity to give visiting Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo a tour. Wang shared a historical anecdote about Finnish-born art historian Osvald Siren, who was invited by Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), to visit the Forbidden City in 1922. This story immediately captured Orpo's attention.

Over the next hour, Wang guided Orpo along the palace's central axis, introducing him to the architecture, imperial rituals and folk customs of ancient China. Orpo showed particular interest in the imperial examination system, and was surprised to learn that candidates once spent three consecutive days completing the demanding tests used to select government officials, according to Wang.

After the visit, Orpo expressed his excitement on social media, describing it as "an amazing experience". He praised the guide and the tour, noting the remarkable juxtaposition of the centuries-old historical site in the middle of an enormous modern city filled with skyscrapers.

According to Wang, the Palace Museum provides one of the best windows for visitors to understand China. Within its walls are over a thousand years of cultural heritage, offering insights into the core ideas that have shaped Chinese culture.

"In recent years, there has been talk of a so-called 'China threat' in some Western societies," he noted. "However, when people visit the Palace Museum and learn about China's traditional culture, they often discover that Chinese philosophy has long emphasized harmony and balance."

During his guided tours, Wang frequently introduces the Taoist concept of wuwei, which advocates governance through respect for the intrinsic nature of people and society, rather than excessive interference or imposition. This ancient wisdom has influenced the country's governance for centuries.

Wang said that as Western countries increasingly view China in a more equal and objective manner, understanding Chinese culture and gaining insight into how Chinese people think and live can foster engagement based on mutual understanding.

Several other foreign leaders, such as Irish Taoiseach, or prime minister, Micheal Martin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President of Uruguay Yamandu Orsi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have all incorporated cultural experiences into their visits to China in recent months.

Starmer began his China visit at a Yunnan cuisine restaurant in Beijing. His cultural itinerary included visits to the Palace Museum as well as Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai, which embodies the essence of classical Chinese landscaping.

Dom Hastings, culture counsellor at the British embassy in China, said the arrangements reflected the full breadth of the relationship between the United Kingdom and China.

"This is not only a political and trading relationship. It is also a long-standing cultural one," he said.

"When planning the visit, we wanted to give the prime minister a rounded view of China, acknowledging its ancient heritage while also presenting a contemporary picture of the country today," Hastings added.

Dominic Stanton, communications counsellor at the British embassy, said planners were also mindful of the long history of bilateral cultural exchanges, including the state visit to China by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in 1986.

During Starmer's visit, the prime minister sat at the same table at Yuyuan Garden that the queen did 40 years ago. By referencing that legacy, the visit sought to highlight the enduring value of cultural connections, Stanton said.

Zhao Hongyan, a professor of international relations at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said cultural activities have long been part of the diplomatic agenda, but are now more systematically integrated into leaders' itineraries, becoming an important feature of high-level diplomacy.

This shift reflects the growing role of soft communication and public diplomacy in international engagement, she said.

"By stepping outside formal meeting rooms and engaging with local communities, food, history and daily life, they encounter the diversity of Chinese society and civilization," Zhao added.

Images of leaders interacting with local residents or participating in cultural activities often signal openness toward China and a willingness to improve bilateral relations, she said.

More important, by sending positive signals and fostering goodwill, cultural exchanges can help build the trust needed for subsequent negotiations, Zhao noted.

The essence of cultural experience and communication lies in enabling face-to-face and person-to-person interaction, Zhao said, adding that such direct exchanges allow people to break stereotypes and understand each other in a more authentic way.

While traditional cultural symbols such as the Palace Museum, classical gardens and Chinese cuisine have become a "must-see" on diplomatic visits, Zhao said she believes that these experiences could be expanded further.

Stories of ordinary people and community life can reveal the warmth and vitality of Chinese society, while showcasing advances in China's technology, green development and new energy can address issues of global concern.

During his China visit, German Chancellor Merz toured the humanoid robotics company Unitree Robotics in Hangzhou, Zhe­jiang province, and watched robots perform boxing and martial arts.

The visit signaled growing international recognition of China's robotics and artificial intelligence technologies, and also offered a glimpse into the future of bilateral industrial cooperation, said Michael Schumann, chairman of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade.