Chinese Embassy donated over 300 mattresses to the 7th Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival
Sample of the mattresses.
By Doddy Morris
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Over 300 mattresses were handed over to the 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFEST) Organising Committee by the Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu yesterday.
The handover was made at the Cultural Centre in Port Vila by Mrs. Lin Ying, wife of Chinese Ambassador to Vanuatu, Mr. Li Minggang, to the Director of the Cultural Center, Mr. Richard Shing.
These mattresses represent China’s support and blessings for the Festival and symbolise the deep friendship between China and Vanuatu. On behalf of the People’s Republic of China, Mrs. Lin said it was with honour and with great pleasure, as someone who cherishes cultural exchanges to contribute to the upcoming MACFEST.
“We respect the diversity of world civilisations. We uphold the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations,” she said.
“We support cultural exchanges and oppose estrangement. We pursue mutual learning and avoid cultural clashes. We promote peaceful coexistence and reject superiority.”
She continues to state that as treasures of cultural heritage in the world, Chinese civilisation and Melanesian civilisation have a long history.
Mrs. Lin also announced that the Foshan Art Troupe of China will visit Port Vila during the 7th MACFEST, bringing performances of traditional Chinese martial arts and acrobatics to the people of Vanuatu.
She believes this will further deepen people-to-people relations between China and Vanuatu and enhance the profound friendship between the two countries.
Mrs. Lin wishes the 7th MACFEST a great success.
In response, Director Shing expressed his gratitude for the two parties’ cooperation, partnership, and support.
“We are extremely appreciative of the Chinese Embassy for being the first nation to favourably reply to our request for sponsorship,” he said. According to the Director, this was not the first time as they received sponsorship from the Chinese Embassy.
“We have worked together to promote our cultures on numerous occasions in the past, and this time we are grateful and happy to be able to promote not only our Melanesian cultures but also the associations and participation of our cultural group, as well as cultures from China,” Shing said.
“We very happy that you have assisted us, not only for sponsorship, but also assisting us with cultural group that will also entertain our people during this event.
“On behalf of the Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival committee and cultural institutions around Vanuatu, we would like to say big thank you to the Chinese Embassy, the Chinese Government for the sponsorship of these mattresses.”
These mattresses will be given to the participants who will be accommodated at Malapoa College, Lycée Louis Antoine de Bougainville, and Vanuatu Institute of Technology. The mattresses will then be given to the schools after the Festival so that the pupils can use them in the future.
The Director went on to say that Melanesia and China share many historical connections with Vanuatu, viewing society as a whole and as individuals, cooperating with one another to advance and grow in the years to come.
“Most inhabitants of Melanesia and the Pacific countries came from China 7 to 10, 000 years ago, we have a connection that goes way back and we would like to work on that to ensure the good development not only for Vanuatu and Melanesian, but also our region as a whole,” Director Shing concluded.
doddy@dailypost.vu
