Special cultural events celebrating the upcoming 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China were held in Abuja, Nigeria, on Tuesday, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday.
These events are part of “Written in the Sky: My China Story,” a series of cultural events launched by China Media Group in March 2024 to gather individual stories related to China from around the world.
In Abuja, attendees watched a documentary titled “Close Friends across Continents,” featuring stories of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and African countries, the connections between their peoples, and the mutual learning of civilizations.
Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, remarked that since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, the bilateral relationship has stood the test of international changes and grown stronger.
“As our two countries have elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, China and Nigeria will work together to advance the modernization process and make greater contributions to the well-being of our peoples, as well as safeguard world peace and prosperity,” said Yu.
Jafaru Yakubu, chairman of the House Committee on China/Nigeria Parliamentary Friendship Group, added that China has played an important role in driving economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure improvements in Nigeria and across the African continent.
At the event held in Riyadh, attendees shared their China stories.
Saleh Alsagri, former cultural counselor of the Saudi Embassy in China, shared that he had witnessed the rapid development of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. “At the beginning of my tenure as cultural counselor, the number of Saudi students in China was less than 80, and in just four years, the number had exceeded 1,200,” said Alsagri.
“These students are now playing an important role in the economic and sci-tech fields in Saudi Arabia, and also contributing to the promotion of friendly relations between the two countries.”
Yahiya Mahmoud bin Junaid, chairman of the Saudi Center for Research and Intercommunication Knowledge, noted that relations between Saudi Arabia and China are developing at a high level.
He highlighted that the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China is highly compatible with Saudi Vision 2030, and that the two sides have maintained close exchanges and cooperation in political, economic, and cultural fields.
Guests at both events expressed hope of deepening cultural exchanges and cooperation with China, consolidating friendship from generation to generation, and jointly creating a better future for the bilateral relationship.
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Special cultural events in Nigeria, Saudi Arabia mark PRC's 75 years
cgtn.com
