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China-UAE week kicks off in Beijing

By Zhang Rui: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, December 17, 2019

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Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, ambassador of the UAE to China, dressed in a Chinese suit, shakes hands with Jing Dunquan, vice president of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, dressed in an Arabic robe at the launch ceremony of "Feeling China and Cultural Sharing: China and the UAE Youth Cultural Exchange Week," held at the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Center for Young People in Beijing, Dec. 16, 2019. [Photo courtesy of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation]

A major China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) cultural exchange event kicked off in Beijing on Monday to build closer ties between youth from both countries.

"Feeling China and Cultural Sharing: China and the UAE Youth Cultural Exchange Week," held at the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Center for Young People, is sponsored by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and China Everbright Group. This event is the inaugural event of the "Feel China in a Diverse and Harmonious World: International Youth Cultural Exchange Week" announced on Nov. 22.

"The exchange week is designed to promote cultural exchanges, mutual understanding, and harmonious relationships," said Jing Dunquan, vice president of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation.

Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, ambassador of the UAE to China, introduced Arabic coffee drinking custom and culture at a Chinese tea and Arabic coffee exchange activity held at the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Center for Young People in Beijing, Dec. 16, 2019. [Photo courtesy of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation]

He pointed out that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE. He hopes that this marks an opportunity to explore the establishment of a long-term mechanism for China-UAE youth exchanges and make the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Center for Young People a long-term classroom in which the fine characteristics of the two countries' cultures are experienced and mutual exchanges between civilizations are promoted.

"The continued exchanges between young people will further strengthen the friendship between the two countries," Jing said.

Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, ambassador of the UAE to China, said that Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, attended a reception to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE in Beijing; The crown prince spoke highly of the strong and profound friendship between the UAE and China, while the cooperation between the two countries reached an unprecedented level.

An Emirati child plays Chinese guqin, an ancient Chinese musical instrument, at the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Center for Young People in Beijing, Dec. 16, 2019. [Photo courtesy of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation]

"The cultural exchanges between the younger generations are strengthening, and we look forward to using the excellent platform of the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Center for Young People to further promote friendly exchanges between the two countries," he added.

The ambassador attended the launch ceremony with his wife Tanja Al Dhaheri and two daughters. His daughters, Sara and Mira, performed the traditional Chinese folk song "Jasmine Flower" on stage.

Visitors to the event can learn more about the two countries through various cultural activities. These include Chinese tea and Arabic coffee tasting, oracle painting, Chinese embroidery, henna tattoo, and more. Nearly 100 young people from the two countries attended the inaugural event.

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