On May 22, ICDS organized the second session of its “Taste China through Painting” Chinese painting series for the spouses and children of foreign military officers—titled “The Elegance of Lotus Ponds.” During the class, participants studied ink wash techniques under the guidance of an instructor, progressing from outlining lotus blossoms to applying gradations on lotus leaves. Through brush and ink, they experienced the traditional Chinese cultural concept of “rising from the mud yet remaining unstained.”