By Mike Ojenwu
The need to strengthen harmony and friendship between Nigeria and China has again been highlighted by Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun.
The Chinese envoy disclosed this while speaking at a joint musical performance by China National Traditional Orchestra (CNTO) and the Nigeria Arts Troupe held at the Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
The Ambassador said the Chinese Traditional Orchestra was invited to Nigeria to perform for the first time based on the belief that cultural exchange is vital in promoting harmony and people-to-people cooperation between both nations.
His words, “Harmony and Symphony is very important for every individual, society and nation. Symphony is a function of harmony. In traditional China, we believe in harmony in co-existence, harmony in integration, harmony in diversity and harmony in development.
“We perform Nigeria-China Symphony to deepen the relationship and people-to-people cooperation between both nations.
“We perform Nigeria-China symphony to achieve four cardinal objectives namely kindness and harmony; happiness and friendship; unity and concordance; peace and consonance.
“I hope that after this performance from these wonderful music groups, China and Nigeria will continue to enjoy harmony for a shared future,” he added.
Guests at the event were treated to amazing orchestras such as “Dragons and Tigers Leaping”, “Moonlit Night on a Spring River”, and “Beautiful Africa” by the Chinese contingent, while the Nigerian troupe performed highlife melodies such as “Guitar Boy”, “Onidodo Oni Moi Moi”, and “Omi Pupa”.
A major highlight of the event was a joint performance of the popular Nigerian folk song “Akwai wani geri” and the Chinese song “Jasmine Flower” by both musical groups.
With the theme, Share Chinese Harmony, Perform Nigeria-China Symphony, the event was organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the China General Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria.
