The China Cultural Counselor at the Chinese embassy, and Director Chinese Cultural Centre, Abuja, Mr Li Xuda has said spoken on China sponsoring a 7 man/woman Nigerian artists delegation to its country. According to him, it was meant to boost their experience so as to help improve Nigeria-China relations.
Mr Xuda revealed this during an event at the Chinese Cultural Centre, Abuja, to welcome the delegation back to Nigeria.
According to Xuda, “China and Nigeria shares long history and culture.
Both countries have smooth diplomatic relationship for many years.
“In order to further strengthen our relations, we have to promote people to people cooperation, especially for local artists.”
Xuda said the trip gave the artistes the opportunity to see the progress China has made in the last 40 years since opening its economy.
“We arranged China tour for Nigerian artists, so that they see the real China, its culture and its people, to see everything China stands for, the progress it has made since its opened up reform policy about forty years ago,” Xuda said.
He revealed that the programme will be sustained because of its benefits. “This programme is going to continue every year. Last year, the China Cultural Centre here sent some Nigerians to another China city.
“Also, several years ago, we organised similar tour for Nigerian artist to a very big Chinese city, so that, when they comeback, they have new ideas and experiences.
“When Chinese people come here, they get to know Nigeria’s culture and Nigerians go to China, they know Chinese culture. Through this way, the relationship between the two countries will improve.
“Another thing is, from the perspective of arts. The level of artistic creativity will highly improve. The exchange is a lot of window through which they find lots of new things, Xuda explained.
