China's first overseas cultural center celebrates 30th birthday

Guests taking part in the celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of the China Cultural Center in Mauritius take a group photo on Friday, August 17, 2018 in the Mauritian capital Port Louis. [Photo: China Plus]

A series of month-long events has been launched in Mauritius to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China Cultural Center on the Indian Ocean island nation.

A retrospective exhibition and forum has been held in the Mauritian capital Port Louis to help mark the development of the China Cultural Center in Mauritius over the past three decades.

The event is part of a month-long celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China Cultural Center in the Indian Ocean island nation, which is the first overseas cultural center set up by the Chinese government. 

Prithvirajsing Roopun, Minister of Arts and Culture in Mauritius, says the Center provides a window into China.

"We must commend the CCC for promoting the authentic, I must say, Chinese culture. We have viewed through the Chinese Cultural Center to appreciate the diversity of the Chinese culture. China's culture is unique and diverse. China is also an inclusive society. At the same time, we are trying to promote our cultural exchanges, a lot of our artists visit China. A lot of our officials have training courses in China and further enhance our good relationship."

Joseph Tsang Mang Kin, former head of the Ministry of Arts and Culture in Mauritius, suggests the cultural exchange being carried out by the China Cultural Center helps diversify the culture of Mauritius.

"We would like to emphasize the extreme important role of China Cultural Center in enriching its contribution to the social and cultural landscape of Mauritius through its activities in all fields. The CCC has also above all enlightened our citizens for a better understanding of the constructive and peaceful role of China in the world today and for her Belt and Road Initiative," he says. 

Cultural cooperation between China and Mauritius was one of the highlights of Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting with the Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth this past month.

"In his talks with Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, President Xi Jinping called on the China Culture Center to fully utilize its role as a platform to strengthen cultural and people to people exchanges between China and Mauritius, improving bilateral understanding. I hope that with the help of the two governments and people from all walks of life, the cultural center can blaze new trails, promoting the coordinated development of different fields such as culture, education and tourism and further enhance mutual understanding," says Sun Gongyi, China's ambassador to Mauritius.

The Cultural Center is due to hold a series of events in the coming days.

This will include Peking Opera performances in Mauritian schools, as well as lessons on how to play the Erhu, a traditional Chinese musical instrument.