Discovering the historic splendor of the Maritime Silk Road

Hundreds of passengers on board a cruise liner have been treated to an insight into Chinese culture and the exciting Belt and Road initiative, thanks to a group of media professionals from China Radio International and China Daily.

A series of cultural exchange events were organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, on board the Majestic Princess, which is currently making its maiden voyage from Europe to China.

Li Ping, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Radio International, presenting an interactive session to audiences on the Majestic Princess, June 22, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Cui Yimeng]

Drawing on her years of experience as a journalist, Li Ping, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of CRI, spoke about witnessing the completion of the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, which was built and funded primarily by a Chinese company within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. 

Li hailed the railway project as a concrete example of connectivity and mutual benefit engendered by the China inspired project which brings together more than 60 countries in economic and social cooperation across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. 

Getting to grips with chopsticks, passengers learning a new skill on the Majestic Princess, June 22, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Cui Yimeng]

The Mombasa-Nairobi Railway not only paves the way for Kenya's industrialization and modernization, but also means local people can eventually gain benefits from the cooperation between China and Kenya, despite being separated geographically.

Li Ping, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Radio International, discussing aspects of Chinese culture with passengers on board the Majestic Princess, June 22, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Cui Yimeng]

"There are up to 7 billion people in the world. We live in the same global village. However, people in different countries don't always understand, respect and appreciate each other very well. As media professionals, we need to play a greater role in such aspects as accelerating communication and promoting friendship" noted Li Ping. 

She also shared some traditional Chinese customs such as Chinese tea culture, how to use chopsticks, and Chinese lucky items, presenting a series of interactive sessions, with illustrative videos produced by CRI staff.

Wang Hao, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Daily, giving a speech to audiences on the Majestic Princess, June 22, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Cui Yimeng]

The Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Daily, Wang Hao, also highlighted the significance of the Belt and Road Initiative from the perspective of cultural connectivity during the event.

The ancient Silk Road has always been a route of cultural exchanges, he said, with China's Belt and Road Initiative rejuvenating and upgrading the Silk Road spirit.

Audiences from different countries expressed their appreciation for the insight into the history of the Belt and Road project, with interactive events helping them to better understand Chinese culture.

Nearly 7,000 passengers experienced a variety of activities offered by Chinese artists, media professionals and scholars as part of the maiden voyage of the Majestic Princess along the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

The vessel left Rome on May 21, making stops in Greece, the United Arab Emirates, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and will eventually finish the journey in Xiamen, China's Fujian province on June 26.