Chinese envoy backs stronger India-China business ties, celebrates return of Dragon Boat Festival in Kolkata
Kolkata, July 12
Chinese Consul General in Kolkata, Xu Wei, expressed optimism about the future of India-China business relations, saying both countries stand to benefit from stronger economic cooperation and increased exchanges.
"China and India's business relations are advancing. As long as both China and India can benefit from these business interactions, we hope that in the near future both countries can gain significant and fruitful benefits from the policies introduced by each country. Hopefully, we will see more Chinese businessmen coming to India in the coming years," he told ANI.
Xu Wei also welcomed the revival of the traditional Dragon Boat Festival in Kolkata after a six-year hiatus, highlighting the event as a symbol of unity, cultural exchange, and cooperation between the Chinese and Indian communities.
"It is fascinating to see the Chinese community bringing dragon boat racing back to Kolkata after a six-year break. You can see many people joining us today. They are cheering for this competition, and we are very happy that today four boats are competing. Each boat consists of different players--not only Chinese participants but also Indian friends who have joined together. It represents a spirit of unity and cooperation. It is the Dragon Boat spirit that inspires us. I hope that in the years to come, we can keep this deep tradition alive and bring more people together to join hands and celebrate this festival," said Xu Wei.
According to UNESCO, beginning on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, people of several ethnic groups throughout China and the world celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, especially in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The festivities vary from region to region, but they usually share several features.
A memorial ceremony offering sacrifices to a local hero is combined with sporting events such as dragon boat races and willow shooting; feasts of rice dumplings, eggs, and ruby sulfur wine; and folk entertainment including opera, song, and unicorn dances.
The hero who is celebrated varies by region: the romantic poet Qu Yuan is venerated in Hubei and Hunan Provinces, Wu Zixu in eastern China, an old man said to have died while slaying a dragon in Guizhou Province, and Yan Hongwo among the Dai community in Yunnan Province.
Participants also ward off evil during the festival by bathing in flower-scented water, wearing five-colour silk, hanging plants such as moxa and calamus over their doors, and pasting paper cut-outs in their windows. The Dragon Boat Festival strengthens bonds within families and establishes a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. It also encourages the expression of imagination and creativity, contributing to a vivid sense of cultural identity.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is encouraging. As someone who has seen both countries' growth, I think trade and people-to-people connections are vital. Hope the envoy's words translate into real action for mutual benefit.
Meanwhile, we need to remember border tensions and trade imbalances. Cultural events are fine, but business cooperation must address fair market access and respect for each other's concerns. Actions speak louder than words, ji. 🤔
Dragon boat racing in Kolkata! That's a remarkable blend of cultures. The Chinese community keeping this tradition alive after six years shows resilience. Would love to see more such exchanges in other Indian cities too.
Cultural diplomacy is a good first step, but let's not ignore that China has blocked many Indian apps and products. The envoy should also talk about level playing field for Indian businesses in China. Otherwise it's just one-sided engagement. 🎯
Nostalgic to see Dragon Boat Festival in Kolkata - reminds me of the old Chinatown days. Trade ties should grow but with fairness. We're both ancient civilizations, let's act like it and cooperate for the region's prosperity. 🙏
Interesting that they highlight unity and cooperation. If both nations can genuinely work together
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.