Jong May wearing a traditional Miao costume, welcomes visitors at the Wanda tourist resort in Danzhai county, Southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo: China News Service/Wen Xinggui)
(ECNS) -- Accompanied by the rhythm of local instruments, 23-year-old American Jong May, wearing a traditional Miao costume, performed the national intangible cultural heritage Phoenix dance at the Wanda tourist resort in Danzhai county, Southwest China's Guizhou Province.
Jong May was selected as cultural ambassador at the tourist resort under a promotion program starting in late June this year that invites people from across the world to serve on rotation basis.
"Being a mayor is a life enriching experience, that's why I'm here," said Jong May, who speaks fluent Chinese and is even familiar with the anecdotes of "Four Ancient Chinese Beauties".
As 16th mayor, Jong May, besides dancing with local girls, also helped live stream cultural activities on social media. "I felt more closely connected with China," she said.
Jong May was born in China and her Chinese name is "Zhongmei" (literally meaning China and United Sates). After a childhood spent in the U.S., she came back to China and learned dancing. She's currently studying for her master's degree at the Communication University of China.
Speaking of the future, she hopes to teach Chinese in American universities and bring her students to China for cultural exchanges.
