Delegations from Zhengzhou and Jinhua, China, visited Nigeria to promote cultural exchange during the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration. The event, hosted by the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, showcased Shaolin Kungfu, traditional Chinese operas, and Nigerian folk performances. Both nations aim to strengthen mutual understanding and their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Delegations from The Centre of China, Hometown of Huangdi (Yellow Emperor), Kung Fu Zhengzhou, and the Chinese Taste Grand Canal Food Workshop arrived in Nigeria to promote cultural exchange between the two countries.
Their visit coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, titled *A Moon-ment to Remember*, hosted by the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria (CCCN) in Abuja.
Yang Jianxing, Director of CCCN, highlighted that culture serves as a bridge between people and emphasised the value of cultural exchange with Nigeria.
The visiting artists from Zhengzhou, Henan, China, presented world-famous performances such as Shaolin Kungfu, Quju and Yuju operas, and showcased intangible cultural heritage like pyrography and clay sculpture.
Artists from Jinhua, Zhejiang, also enriched the event by offering a lecture on medicinal cuisine, a Wuju opera exhibition, and an embroidery display.
In a spirit of cultural integration, Nigerian artists performed folk songs and dances, as well as Chinese songs and Kungfu.
Yang expressed hope that such exchanges would foster deeper understanding and friendship between China and Nigeria, strengthening the foundation for the long-term stability of their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Zhao Hengkang, Vice Secretary General of the Zhengzhou Municipal People’s Government, noted that their cultural troupes have performed across five continents, promoting China’s rich heritage.
Zhengzhou, leveraging China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy and the Belt and Road Initiative, is working to become a world-renowned cultural tourism destination.
Zhao also revealed that around 100,000 Chinese nationals currently live in Nigeria, many of whom are from Henan Province. Some, like Kong Tao and Zheng Xiaopeng, have even been honoured with the title of “Emir” by Nigerian traditional rulers.
On behalf of Nigeria, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, James Sule, welcomed the delegation, underscoring the importance of culture as the heartbeat of any nation and a reflection of its values and history.
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