On February 13th, 2021, Consul General Tang Guocai was invited to attend the online Chinese New Year cultural celebration jointly organized by Confucius Institute, University of Mumbai and Bank of China Mumbai Branch and made a keynote speech.
Tang extended festive greetings to everyone, emphasizing that cultural and economic exchanges have always been the two pillars for the development of China-India relations. The Spring Festival in China, like the Diwali in India, is an important symbol of the cultural heritage. Today, friends from China and India get together to celebrate the Chinese New Year. This is a vivid portrayal of the integration of our two civilizations.
Tang pointed out that China-India relations are currently at a critical moment, and both are facing the huge impact caused by the COVID-19 epidemic and shouldering the great responsibility of maintaining economic and social development. Our two countries should focus on fighting the epidemic, developing the economy, improving people's livelihood, and promoting exchanges and cooperation in vaccine and health-care, trade and culture, so as to build a community with a shared future.
Tang said that the traditional culture of China and India show respects to teachers and mothers are also the best teachers of children. Today is the second day of the Lunar New Year. It is also the day of "returning to the natal family". I hereby pay tribute to Dean Vibha Surana, and other female teachers and students from University of Mumbai. Confucius advocates "think without evil," and Gandhi also promotes "see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil." I hope that everyone could carry forward the spirit of the ox in serving the people and working tirelessly in the new year, overcome the epidemic, lies and various difficulties, work together to be a better man and for a better country and world.
Indian participants expressed their willingness to work for cultural exchanges between China and India and contribute to mutual understanding and friendship between two peoples. During the event, the teachers and students of the Confucius Institute performed cultural programs. The atmosphere was sincere, warm and friendly. Deputy CG Wang Yanhua attended the event.