Mozambican President Daniel Chapo takes a photo with local villagers in Banyan village of Huzhu Tu Autonomous County, Northwest China's Qinghai Province, on April 19, 2026. Photo: X account of President Daniel Chapo

On Sunday in Banyan village of Huzhu Tu Autonomous County, Northwest China's Qinghai Province, a warm moment unfolded as Mozambique's President Daniel Francisco Chapo smiled and uttered a "Thank you" in Putonghua after he exchanged gifts with local villagers, according to the China News Service on Monday.

Chapo, who is on his first visit to China from April 16 to 22 since he took office, arrived in Xining of Northwest China's Qinghai Province on Saturday night, which marked his second destination following his engagements in Central China's Hunan Province, according to China News Service.

Leading a delegation, Chapo toured and exchanged insights in Banyan village on Sunday, immersing himself in a time-honored folk art of the Tu ethnic group Panxiu, which is a traditional type of embroidery.

Panxiu features seven vibrant threads in hues of red, yellow, green, blue, cinnamon, purple and white. Its unique "two-needle, two-thread" stitching technique endows Panxiu with a rich, opulent texture and remarkable durability. It was included on the national intangible cultural heritage protection list in 2006, according to the People's Daily.

Footage released by the China News Service captured vivid scenes of Chapo joining local villagers in local Anzhao dance, and walking hand in hand with a villager. Holding an exquisite piece of Panxiu, the president asked whether the work was entirely handmade. Villagers told him the art craft was purely handcrafted that cannot be replaced by machines.

On his latest post on X on Sunday night, Chapo wrote that Xining is recognized for its potential in sustainable development and promoting community well-being.

While visiting Changsha in Central China's Hunan Province on Saturday, Chapo also got a hands-on experience with China's new energy technology, trying out an electric reach stacker at an industrial park, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

In an interview with Xinhua published on Thursday, the day Chapo started his China trip, the Mozambique's President voiced hope to strengthen strategic cooperation with China in agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, industrialization and digitalization within the framework of South-South cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative.

"Mozambique and China share a brotherly friendship," and Mozambique is willing to further strengthen ties with China by promoting political, economic, social and cultural exchanges, said Chapo, per Xinhua.

Global Times