By Omonu YG Nelson
The outgoing Cultural Counselor of Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Li Xuda, has emphasised the importance of celebrating traditional festivals together to boost exchanges between China and Nigeria.
Speaking at the 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in Abuja, at the weekend, Li Xuda said, “Through jointly celebrating Chinese traditional festivals, we can improve our good relationship and promote our traditional partnership and cooperation.”
The event, organised by the China Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, was attended by Nigerian dignitaries, journalists, and friends of the Chinese community.
Li Xuda explained the significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival, saying, “It symbolises harvest and the fruit of our hard work. We believe that if we work hard, we will have fruitful results.”
Li Xuda with journalists who worked with him during his tenure in Nigeria.
He also expressed enthusiasm for exporting Nigerian festivals to China, stating, “We will work together to promote our tangible and intangible cultural heritage and strengthen our cultural cooperation.”
Reflecting on his experience as Cultural Counselor, Li Xuda said, “I have worked with Nigerian friends to celebrate Chinese traditional festivals, and our good relationship has been further strengthened.”
Li Xuda advised his successor to “unite and work together” to maintain the mutual relationship between China and Nigeria, saying, “Unity is power. I always say, ‘our culture, our friends.’ This is the sentence I learned from my Nigerian friends. United we stand, diverse we fall.”
The event marked a significant moment in China-Nigeria cultural exchange, highlighting the importance of collaboration and mutual understanding between the two nations.