By Mewati Sitaram. Mumbai
As the Year of the Dragon approaches, the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai organized a spectacular Chinese New Year Reception and Cultural Festival on February 2nd, 2024 at Taj Mahal Palace hotel. Chinese Consul General His Excellency Kong Xianhua greeted all the incoming visitors at the main entrance with a courteous smile. The occasion fetched together over 300 attendees from diverse backgrounds to partake in the festivities. It highlighted the growing significance of the Spring Festival, now celebrated by over 7 billion people worldwide as a UN holiday.
Harsh Verma, the first Indian Shaolin Warrior monk practiced Kung Fu, showcasing his martial art. (Photo: Mewati Sitaram).
Milind Hardas, Joint Secretary of Government of Maharashtra and Protocol officer was present during the event. Besides, Numerous Consul Generals and diplomats also joined the event, few of them comprised H.E. Aleksander Danda CG of Poland, H.E. Erik af Hallstrom CG of Finland, H.E. Dr. Valsan Vethody CG of Sri Lanka, H.E. Dr. FUKAHORI Yasukata, CG of Japan in Mumbai, H. E. Selma Sellie Fivelsdal- Consul of Norwegian, H.E. Eko Santoso Junor, Consul from Indonesian Consulate and H.E. Alexxey Kalugin Consul from Russian Consulate to name a few.
Kong Fu’an, Director General Foreign Affairs office, Shanghai Municipal People’s Government delivering an online speech. (Photo: Mewati Sitaram).
Chinese Consul General’s Welcome
Chinese Consul General His Excellency Kong Xianhua opened the event with a warm welcome, acknowledging the global fervor surrounding the Spring Festival. In his address, H.E. Kong reflected on China’s remarkable achievements in 2023.He emphasized the active participation of Chinese companies in social welfare initiatives. He also congratulated India on its notable accomplishments and underscored the mutual benefits derived from extensive cooperation between the two nations. The attending visitors were happy to watch a live online speech delivered by His Excellency, Kong Fu’an, Director General Foreign Affairs office, Shanghai Municipal People’s Government. The guests gave a big round of applause at the completion of his speech.
Master Chef Wang Peng displaying the Noodle making process to the audience. (Photo: Mewati Sitaram).
China’s Achievements in 2023
His Excellency Kong provided a glimpse into China’s extraordinary achievements, including a 5.2% GDP growth to over $17.7 trillion USD. China’s contribution of over 30% to global economic growth solidified its position as a mainstay in the global economy. The C G highlighted China’s seven consecutive years as the largest trader of goods and its emergence as the world’s leading auto exporter. China’s commitment to multilateral cooperative mechanisms like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and BRICS showcased its dedication to a shared future for mankind, fostering global peace and prosperity.
Social Welfare Contributions by Chinese Companies
Despite challenges in 2023, Chinese companies demonstrated commendable performance and actively engaged in social welfare undertakings. Noteworthy initiatives included Yapp India’s infrastructure upgrade project in Solapur and the involvement of companies like Sany and Haier in contributing to local development.
Visiting guests waving Chinese flags during photo Opp. (Photo: Mewati Sitaram).
Congratulations to India’s Achievements
His Excellency Kong extended hearty congratulations to India for its 7.3% economic growth rate, impressive performance in the Asian Games, and the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon. He highlighted 2023 as a year of mutual achievement and harvest, emphasizing the role of extensive cooperation between the two countries.
China-India Cooperation and Trade Volume
The Consul General emphasized the robust cooperation between China and India, with the trade volume surpassing $136.2 billion in 2023. Additionally, Chinese diplomatic missions in India issued over 1.8 lakh visas, marking a new high for Indian visitors to China post-pandemic. Notably, the construction of Mumbai Coastal Road, including the challenging tunnel under Malabar Hill area, involved collaboration between Chinese and Indian engineers. The tunnel boring machine (TBM) , which was used to make underground excavations, was imported from China.
Honouring Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis and Cultural Immersion
The event paid homage to Dr. Kotnis, a hero from Solapur who sacrificed his life for national independence. Indian filmmaker Nagesh Bhosle shared his experiences in China. He expressed his commitment to contribute to the legacy of Dr. Kotnis through a documentary. The celebration also provided a platform for Indian attendees to immerse themselves in Chinese culture through sister city connections, discussions on China’s development, culinary experiences, Kung Fu demonstrations, and performances of Beijing Opera.
The Chinese New Year Reception and Cultural Festival in Mumbai served as a vibrant celebration of cultural exchange and mutual cooperation between China and India. As attendees delved into the rich tapestry of Chinese traditions, the event showcased the world as a big family, promoting the spirit of harmony and peace. In the spirit of the Spring Festival, it reinforced the notion that, during this time of celebration, hearts around the world are connected, making the entire globe one big family.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
