Chinese Cultural Delegates Arrive In Nigeria To Promote Cultural Exchange

The Chinese delegations “The Centre of China, Hometown of Huangdi (Yellow Emperor), KungFu Zhengzhou” and “Chinese Taste Grand Canal Food Workshop” have arrived in Nigeria to promote cultural exchange between the two nations.

The delegates made an appearance in Abuja during a celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, “a Moon-ment to Remember,” hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria (CCCN).

Speaking about the visit, Mr. Yang Jianxing, Director of the CCCN, stated that culture acts as a bridge and bond between people, promoting cultural exchange with Nigeria. He revealed that the artists from Zhengzhou, Henan, China, are presenting the world-famous Shaolin Kungfu, Quju, and Yuju operas, as well as intangible cultural heritage projects like pyrography and clay sculpture.

He also revealed that artists from Jinhua, Zhejiang, will give a lecture on medicinal cuisine, exhibit Zhejiang Wuju opera, and display intangible cultural heritage embroidery.

He stated: “To highlight the beauty of both Chinese and Nigerian cultures and achieve mutual learning between Chinese and Nigerian civilisations, Nigerian artists performed wonderful Nigerian folk songs and dances, as well as their favourite Chinese songs and Kungfu.

“We hope that such cultural exchanges will continue to improve mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries, laying a solid foundation of public support for the long-term stability of the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership,” Yang said.

Also speaking, Zhao Hengkang, Vice Secretary General of the Zhengzhou Municipal People’s Government, stated that the cultural troupes have travelled across five continents, Asia, Europe, America, Australia, and Africa, performing in over 80 countries to promote cultural exchange.

He also stated that Zhengzhou is taking advantage of China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy and the Belt and Road Initiative to focus on developing internationally recognised tourism routes.

These routes include the Yellow River Cultural Tour, the Chinese Kung Fu Experience Tour, and the Exploration of Chinese Civilisation Tour. Zhengzhou is committed to becoming a globally recognised cultural tourism destination.

“Statistics show that around 100,000 Chinese people live in Nigeria now, many of them are from Henan Province and have made significant contributions to promote Chinese and Nigerian relations.

“Henan citizens such as Kong Tao and Zheng Xiaopeng have even been awarded the title of “Emir” by Nigeria’s traditional rulers, Zhao said.

Hon. James Sule expressed his appreciation to the cultural delegates, stating that China and Nigeria have a shared history with numerous cultural exchanges since the 90s.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, James Sule, represented by Madam Zainab Biu, Director-General of the Department of International Cultural Relations, extended a warm welcome to the delegates, added that culture is the heartbeat of any nation as it embodies values, history and the essence of life.