Chinese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Zheng Fanhua said there is a great potential for more cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Mr Zeng said at the opening of the 67th Goroka Show that coincided with PNG’s 48th independence anniversary on Saturday, September 16, that this exchange will deepen their cooperation and highlighted their rich cultures.
“During the development of Chinese civilisation over the past 5000 years, the Chinese people have created vast and profound Chinese culture,” he said.
“PNG is home to more than 1000 different cultural groups.
“People here speak more than 800 languages and have a colourful and diversified culture.
“In fact, Chinese people came to PNG and settled down more than 100 years ago.
“The culture of the Chinese community has become part of the culture of Papua New Guinea and the Eastern Highlands Province.”
He said they have agreed with Goroka Show committee chair Keryn Hargreaves and the Eastern Highlands Governor Simon Sia that there should be more Chinese cultural groups to join the Goroka Show in the future to present performances such as traditional Chinese dragon and lion dances, martial arts and acrobatics.
“In this regard, the Chinese Embassy is actively working on the opening of direct flights between China and Papua New Guinea.
“This is so that more Chinese tourists can come to PNG to experience the rich tourism and cultural resources here.”
Mr Zheng expressed satisfaction that their sponsorship of K30,000 towards the staging of the show was worthwhile.
“I am more convinced that this donation is worthwhile.
“The show provided a beautiful stage where sing and dance troupes of over a hundred tribes from Eastern Highlands and provinces get together and demonstrate peace, unity, inclusiveness and happiness.
“Culture is a country’s soul.
“Without a rich and prosperous culture, the country can not be strong and the nation will have no self-confidence.”
He said culture is part of the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s proposal on global civilisation Initiative that focuses on promoting respect for the diversity of civilisations, the common values of humanity, the importance of inheritance and innovation of civilisations, and robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.
Mr Zheng said this initiative is highly valued and well-received by the international community.