Foreign ministry charity bazaar raises 4 mln yuan for Yunnan villages

Performers from Fiji pose for photos with people at the "International Charity Sale for Healthy Villages in Yunnan" in Beijing on October 29, 2017. [Photo: China Plus]

For the past nine years, foreign diplomatic missions in China, together with representative offices of international organizations, have been actively involved in an annual international charity sale organized by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

This year, the event attracted a total of 140 representatives from the diplomatic community, international agencies, as well as domestic and foreign enterprises, which showcased various distinctive cultures from around the world. 

CRI's Nillah Nyakoa was there to bring us this report. 

"Love knows no borders" was the opening message for this year's ceremony of the international charity sale held Sunday in Beijing with the theme "For Healthy Villages in Yunnan."

During the event, Qian Wei, the wife of China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, reiterated the crucial part this charity sale has been playing in making its unique contribution to poverty reduction in the country. 

"Over 22 million yuan has been raised so far at these charity sales and donations. The money has been channeled to poor areas in Yunnan, Gansu, Hebei, Henan and Guizhou provinces to fund the construction of bridges, water cellars, renovation of villages, housing and treatment of children with congenital heart diseases. It has brought the warmth of love and hope to the people in need."

Inspired by the now-concluded 19th Communist Party of China National Congress, Qian Wei expressed her hope for the future, stressing the beginning of a new era, which will boost China's efforts in elevating the lives of the poor and those in need in the country. 

Qian Wei, the wife of China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaks during the event in Beijing.  [Photo: gov.cn]

"Chinese people are making continued efforts to complete the building of a modern and prosperous society in all respects. In his report to the Party National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jingping pointed out that we must win the battle against poverty by continuing to implement targeted measures and see that poor people and poor areas enter the modern prosperous society together with the rest of the country."

She also expressed her gratitude to the members of the foreign missions in China, international agencies and organizations for their continued support to the charity cause of China and to the foreign ministry's work in alleviating poverty. 

Meanwhile, British Ambassador to China Barbara Woodward gave her remarks on behalf of the diplomatic corps. In her speech, she applauded China's remarkable achievements and its efforts to completely root out poverty and improve the lives of its people. 

"Many charities have grown out of the commitment of one or two people to help others. Charity and giving have been deeply engrained in the Chinese culture. Today's bazaar captures that spirit of coming together to help the most vulnerable, the most needy and the most disadvantaged in China."

A man shows how Cuban Cigars are made at the "International Charity Sale for Healthy Villages in Yunnan" on October 29, 2017. [Photo: China Plus]

Last year, the charity sale raised a total of 3 million yuan. This year, it received a boost, raising 4 million yuan (or about USD 600,000) after selling a staggering 15,000 tickets to members of the public who had unlimited access to booths exhibiting merchandise. 

The merchandise represented different cultures from around the world, and food and live entertainment were also on the menu to add to the cultural appeal of the sale. 

Represented were 140 foreign embassies, representative offices of international organizations in China, as well as domestic and foreign enterprises. 

The money collected will help build clinics in villages in Jinping and Malipo Counties of China's Yunnan Province. 

For CRI, I am Nillah Nyakoa.