On August 16, 2026, Johnson Park in New Jersey, United States, lay bathed in bright sunlight. Barbecue grills emitted sizzling sounds, and the air was filled with the mixed aroma of charcoal and cumin. Off-stage, a voice with a Shandong accent called out: “President Zhang, time for the group photo!”

　　Fresh from hosting duties, sweat glistened at her temples as Zhang Li held a round fan decorated with peony-themed paper-cuts. The fan featured delicate artwork; stirred by the breeze, the paper-cut petals curled softly, almost slipping from her hands.

　　This was the annual outdoor gathering hosted by the New Jersey Chinese Community Council. The New Jersey Shandong Association took part as a major participating organization. Attendees included Li De, Deputy Director of the Consular Affairs Section of the Chinese Consulate General in New York, local state legislators, school board members, as well as political and business representatives. Zhang Li co-hosted the event with well-known artist Bill Engst. One spoke Chinese and the other English, and they brought joy to the audience.

　　The crowd soon gathered around the exhibition area. Once peony-themed calligraphy, paintings and paper-cut works from Yuncheng, Heze, Shandong Province were put on display, crowds quickly formed, with many visitors raising their smartphones to capture the art pieces.

　　Zhang Li unfolded a calligraphy scroll titled Colourful Heze, running her finger lightly over the dry-brush strokes of the Chinese characters for “Heze”. “This piece was hand-penned by Zhang Mengxi, a member of both the Heze Artists Association and Heze Calligraphers Association. Its brushwork is powerful yet fluid,” she introduced, speaking as if presenting a dear friend who had traveled thousands of miles to attend the event.