CSCLF event promotes cultural exchange with India

Chen Aimin, head of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange at the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), delivers a keynote speech during the event on Jan. 15 in Beijing. [Photo by Zhu Bochen/China.org.cn]

The Chinese and Indian Youth Cultural Exchange Day was held in Beijing on Jan. 15 to promote better understanding and appreciation of each other's cultures.

The event consisted mainly of artistic performances from both China and India, including traditional dances, Peking opera and yoga demonstrations, to name just a few. Representatives from the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), the Indian Embassy in Beijing, as well as Chinese and Indian students attended the event.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-India diplomatic ties.

Chen Aimin, head of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange at CSCLF, reviewed the anti-colonial history of the two countries, and recognized the Chinese and Indian people's fight for liberation and independence. 

Looking ahead, Chen believes that this year will see closer people-to-people exchanges between the two sides. On behalf of the CSCLF, Chen applauded the Indian Embassy's efforts in working with the CSCLF in creating "a unique experience of Chinese and Indian classic art forms," as well as promoting inclusiveness, openness, mutual respect and mutual learning between the two sides.

Geetika Srivastava, counsellor at the Indian Embassy in Beijing, noted that China and India are both ancient civilizations and the two sides share a long history of interaction in her keynote speech during the event on Jan. 15 in Beijing. "We have also mutually enriched each other," she said, citing the bilateral Buddhist exchanges by such figures as Kumārajīva and Xuanzang. 

Srivastava also mentioned that the year 2020 is designated as the "China-India year of cultural and people-to-people exchanges." "We hope to organize a large number of such school exchange programs during the course of the year, and to continue our cooperation with CSCLF," Srivastava added.

Neethu Rajan, third secretary of the Indian Embassy in Beijing, introduced India in Chinese to young audience members during the event on Jan. 15 in Beijing.