"I feel immensely honored to bring Chongqing’s food and scenery to Paris and introduce the city to the world." Zhang Biyou, a signed photographer for Visual Chongqing and the head of dish development at Chinese catering brand Country Style Cooking (CSC), expressed pride in showcasing Chongqing's culinary delights and beautiful landscapes after attending the exhibition "Follow the Stamps to China—Chinese Culture on World Stamps" held at the Louvre Postal Service in Paris.

Zhang Biyou promoted Chongqing's beautiful scenery and cuisine at the exhibition "Follow the Stamps to China—Chinese Culture on World Stamps." (Photo/The event organizer)

This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, as well as the China-France Cultural Tourism Year. The exhibition, initiated by the European Philatelic Association and organized by institutions including the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Foundation, grandly opened on September 10, 2024, at 2 PM local time at the Louvre Postal Service. The exhibition features over 300 frames of stamps issued by postal services from various countries, including France and Germany, showcasing Chinese cultural motifs encompassing opera, film, music, calligraphy, painting, photography, cooking, and numerous intangible cultural heritage projects. The aim is to use stamps as a medium to foster friendships through culture, enhance Sino-French ties, and better disseminate the Chinese voice and story.

Zhang Biyou and his selected culinary creations. (Photo/The event organizer)

Zhang Biyou was the only guest invited from Chongqing to attend the exhibition's opening ceremony. In August, his culinary creations were included in international cultural model-themed stamps issued by postal services in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria, which were prominently featured in the exhibition. Rudy Salles, former vice president of the French National Assembly and deputy mayor of Nice, presented him with a certificate of honor at the opening ceremony.

Rudy Salles, former vice president of the French National Assembly and deputy mayor of Nice, awarded Zhang Biyou a certificate of honor. (Photo/The event organizer)

Zhang Biyou shared that, under the guidance of CSC Chairman Li Hong, he led a technical team to develop signature dishes such as iron-plate beef steak, golden ribs, and honey-spicy grilled wings. These dishes have become popular choices among diners, serving over 30 million people nationwide each year. His experiences and culinary achievements led to his invitation to be featured on the thematic stamps.

"This exhibition is not just a personal honor for me but also a brilliant representation of Chinese culinary culture on the international stage, as well as an opportunity for me as a signed photographer for Visual Chongqing to share Chongqing with the world through images." Before traveling to France, Zhang reached out to Visual Chongqing and proposed showcasing Chongqing through visuals during the event. With the support of Visual Chongqing, he and many other signed photographers collaborated to create a new collection of images that blended mountains and rivers with the "8D" city.

Zhang Biyou and his culinary works are featured on the "International Cultural Role Model" stamps issued by the postal services of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and the United Nations. (Photo/The event organizer)

During the event, Zhang shared unique views, such as the train passing through buildings and the night scene of Hongyadong through projections, while introducing the distinctive charm of Chongqing hot pot and noodles, showcasing the warmth and hospitality of Chongqing people. Attendees and media representatives expressed their admiration for this 8D city.

Zhang said, "I love cooking, and I love photography. I hope to use my culinary skills to serve more people and to spread Chongqing through my photographic works, helping more people understand and fall in love with this city."