His Excellency Kong Xianhua has been appointed as the new Consul General in Mumbai by the China government. He assumed the post of Consul General at the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Mumbai on July 24th, 2022. CG Kong replaced H.E.Tang Guocai who completed his tenure in Mumbai. H.E. Kong Xianhua, was born in September 1972, graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree. He has served in various important capacities prior to coming to Mumbai. As a Consul General in Mumbai, his responsibility includes building relations between China and India in the consular jurisdiction which covers two states Maharashtra and Karnataka.
After taking reins as CG, he is extensively occupied and strengthening diplomatic relations. To begin with, he met media friends that included R N Bhaskar, consultant editor for Free Press Journal.CG Kong extended his appreciation to Bhaskar for his contributions to China-India friendship and mutual understanding. He said that China and India both have large populations and enormous markets, and both countries should enjoy vast potential for cooperation. He is ready to work together with people from all sectors in the consular district to strengthen mutual exchanges, cooperation and understanding.
Carrying forward his meeting, CG Kong met former President of ORF (Mumbai) Sudheendra Kulkarni. He appreciated his long time efforts and contribution to the China-India relationship. He emphasised that mutual understanding between the two most populous civilizations are very important. CG Kong stated Mumbai is the economic centre and financial hub of India. It is the gateway of bilateral economic cooperation and he will ensure every effort to bridge business cooperation between China and the consular district by joint efforts with Indian friends.
CG Kong also visited Solapur and paid tribute to Dr. Dwarkadas Shantaram Kotnis at his memorial where he laid wreaths at his statue. He also watched videos and photos introducing Dr. Kotnis’ life and cause in China. He read carefully the elegy Chairman Mao Zedong wrote for Dr. Kotnis, and wrote cordial comments in the memorial book “Dr. Kotnis is a true friend of China. His spirit is always inspiring us. Long live China-India friendship”.
His Excellency Consul General Kong Xianhua in his message to Indian people on the Consulate website said “India is a country of unique and brilliant cultures. From Ashoka to Mahatma Gandhi, from Mahabharata to Tagore’s poems, coming to India is a site tour to a colourful historical gallery. Yesterday was magnificent, today is inspiring and tomorrow will be wonderful. China and India are both countries with thousand-year civilizations. I sincerely believe that our rich wisdom and cultures shall guide the two nations and global community to a shared future.
As the most dynamic region in India, the consular district maintains strong and resilient economic ties with China. Now It has grown into a gateway to China-India economic and cultural cooperation. Business giants like Reliance Industries and Tata Group are on the fast track in exploring the Chinese market. The world-renowned Bollywood has attracted a large number of Chinese film lovers. Aurangabad, the sister city of China’s Dunhuang, is famous for its exquisite paintings and rock-cut sculptures in caves.
Many prestigious Chinese companies are investing in the consular district. Meanwhile, in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Zhejiang, Hong Kong and many other places across China, large Indian communities, most of whom are from the consular district, are writing successful stories in business, academic and cultural fields. Indian cultural labels like Bollywood, Yoga and Masala are increasingly popular in China, especially among young people.
H.E. Kong further added,`I would like to share a Chinese proverb: ”A man of virtue, while establishing himself and pursuing success, also works to establish others and enable them to succeed as well.”
In pursuing its own development, China sincerely hopes to see India become prosperous and strong and looks forward to making progress together with India. When China and India speak with the same voice, the whole world will listen. When China and India work together, the whole world will be watching. My colleagues and I will spare no effort in pushing forward cooperation between the consular district and different provinces and departments in China in various aspects, promoting people-to-people friendship and contributing to the economic and social development of India.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
