Chinese New Year celebration held in Kuwait creates bridges between countries

“I love Chinese food and I would like to go back to China again,” said Kuwaiti television director Ahmad Alhomoud on Saturday at a Chinese New Year’s celebration held in Kuwait.

Alhomoud has attended the annual celebration for more than 20 years. He believes the event helps Kuwaitis better understand Chinese culture.

Hosted by the Chinese embassy in Kuwait in collaboration with the Association of Chinese Companies in Kuwait, the celebration gathers representatives of Chinese enterprises in Kuwait, Chinese students and Chinese citizens living in Kuwait.

Dozens of employees of Chinese companies and Chinese students performed Chinese songs, traditional dances and martial arts to celebrate the Chinese New Year of 2018.

“I am so happy to be here tonight, it is really amazing to watch the Chinese martial arts,” Alhomoud said.

The Belt and Road Initiative, first put forward in 2013 by China, gives a full play to the role of cultural exchange in an effort to enhance all-round cooperation among countries along the B&R route.

In a speech at the celebration, Wang Di, the Chinese ambassador to Kuwait, said that China and Kuwait have signed cooperation agreements in the field of culture.

“In 2018, we will further integrate the initiative with Kuwaiti development strategy, deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields and maintain close cultural exchanges,” said the Chinese ambassador.

“I hope that the celebration here will promote mutual understanding and friendship between people in China and Kuwait,” the ambassador noted.