'Hello APEC' cultural bazaar brings South American culture to Shekou

Visitors gather at the Hello APEC Shekou Cultural Market in Shekou, Shenzhen, on Saturday. Photos courtesy of Shekou MSCE

Large numbers of local residents, expatriates and families flocked to Shekou on Saturday afternoon for the “Hello APEC Cultural Market — Encounter South American Partners.”

Hosted by the Shekou Management and Service Center for Expats (Shekou MSCE), the market focused on Peru and Chile, featuring authentic South American food and beverages, alpaca-themed cultural products, live traditional music, cultural workshops and interactive activities with Maodou, an alpaca popular online.

The bazaar was supported by the Consulate General of Peru in Guangzhou and the Commercial Office of the Consulate-General of Chile in Guangzhou (ProChile Guangzhou).

Jesús Ponce, consul general of Peru in Guangzhou, said the market offered visitors an opportunity to experience Peruvian cuisine, handicrafts and Andean music. He also thanked Peruvians living and working in Shenzhen for their continued efforts to promote cultural exchange and help Chinese residents gain a deeper understanding of Peru.

Gonzalo Rubilar, commercial consul of Chile in Guangzhou, said he was delighted that visitors could discover Chilean culture, landscapes and products in Shekou. The market, he added, served as a bridge between cultures, allowing people to experience the richness, diversity and vitality of Peruvian and Chilean traditions in a relaxed and lively setting.

Visitors sample South American drinks (Top), while a vendor prepares Peruvian food at the Hello APEC Shekou Cultural Market in Shekou on Saturday.

A wide variety of signature delicacies from Peru and Chile were available at the event. The Peruvian booth attracted many visitors with Pisco cocktails, Pisco sours, Peruvian pork sandwiches and traditional desserts. The Chilean booth offered local wines, dried cranberries and fresh grape juice, giving visitors a taste of the country’s distinctive culinary culture.

Alejandro Garrido Roja, a Chilean wine merchant, said the market was bustling, with visitors eagerly stopping to taste and purchase Chilean wines. Their enthusiasm, he said, created a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.

A Peruvian vendor displays handcrafted jewelry and other cultural products at her booth (Top) while children gather around a vendor at the Hello APEC Shekou Cultural Marke.

The market also showcased a rich selection of South American handicrafts. The Peruvian booth featured alpaca plush toys, handcrafted jewelry and wheel-thrown ceramics created by Peruvian artists.

Peruvian vendor Sheyla Segovia said it was her first time taking part in a cultural market.

“The atmosphere was wonderful,” she said. “Everyone was curious about my handmade Peruvian jewelry, and they were warm, friendly and genuinely engaged. I enjoyed every moment of the exchange. Sharing Peruvian culture and connecting with local residents made me feel completely at home.”

Maodou the alpaca appears with a speaker at the Hello APEC Shekou Cultural Market (Top), while volunteers pose with the alpaca at the event in Shekou on Saturday.

At the Chilean booth, visitors could play original board games designed by Chilean creators while learning about local customs and traditions. Photo frames decorated with iconic images of Machu Picchu and the Moai statues of Easter Island also became popular attractions, with many visitors stopping to take pictures.

Maodou, the alpaca, was the undisputed star of the market. Children gathered to pet and feed it, while parents captured the lively moments on their phones.

Nora Carstens attended the event with her two children and took numerous photos with Maodou.

“This event is fantastic,” she said. “I’m from Mexico, so we share the same Latin American culture. I feel right at home. The venue was packed, and the event was a huge success.”

Inca Tribe, a professional band dedicated to performing and promoting South American music with a large following on Douyin, performed classic South American pieces, introducing audiences to the distinctive sounds and traditions of the region.

Marcel, a visitor from Colombia, said the market was “great fun” and that he was already looking forward to the future editions.

Shekou MSCE said it would continue fostering a vibrant international atmosphere at the community level ahead of the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting scheduled for November in Shenzhen.

Participants pose for a group photo at the Hello APEC Shekou Cultural Market in Shekou on Saturday.