Over 500 teachers and students from Tai'an, Shandong participate in an event to tell Chinese stories in English. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Over 500 teachers and students from Shandong's Tai'an, along with foreign teachers and international students in the city, participated in an activity titled "Telling Chinese Stories in English", where they shared stories about China and interpreted the culture of Mount Tai.

During the event, students from Wohushan Primary School presented an original English drama and introduced many of Tai'an's traditional cultural elements, such as Dawenkou culture and Taishan shadow puppetry.

Susan, a Canadian teacher working at Taishan Middle School, had high praise for the outstanding performances of participants in the event. She was amazed by the English skills and artistry demonstrated by Tai'an teachers and students.

"The event has given me a deeper appreciation of the richness of Chinese culture and the deep cultural heritage and modern vitality of the city of Tai'an," said Susan.

International students from Shandong First Medical University also expressed their liking for the city mascots of Tai'an, describing them as very cute. The event sparked a strong interest in Chinese culture among them, and they said they hope to have more opportunities in the future to participate in such activities to further enhance their understanding and experience of Chinese culture.

"The youth are becoming an important force in driving international exchanges and cross-cultural communication. We will continue to provide a broader platform for international exchanges and showcases for students in Tai'an, promoting Chinese culture and the culture of Mount Tai to better integrate with the world," said a representative of the city's association for friendship with foreign countries.