Chinese community sponsors iftar for 2,000 people
VOLUNTEERS, STAFF OF 14 CHINESE FIRMS JOIN EMIRATIS AND EXPATS AT RASHIDIYA EVENT
In a show of harmony and spirit of giving, the Chinese community in Dubai is offering iftar meals to 2,000 people over three days. On Sunday, more than 120 Chinese volunteers prepared iftar meals for around 600 people at an Emirates Red Crescent tent in Rashidiya.
Sponsored by the Chinese Business Council (CBC) Dubai in association with Emirates Red Crescent, the event saw staff and officials of 14 Chinese firms joining Emiratis and expatriate workers ending their fast.
Supported by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai, the event is being held in the spirit of the Year of Zayed, celebrating Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s humanitarian values. Wang Zhenshan, acting consul general of China in Dubai said the event is a perfect example of cultural exchange.
“As a blessed community in Dubai and based on our belief in social responsibility and the importance of supporting all sections of the society we promote the coming together of different communities. The Chinese expats and business groups are keen to support the needy this Ramadan, contributing to the culture of giving, tolerance, harmony that is prevalent in Dubai,” Zhenshan told Gulf News.
Together for good
He added that as a 270,000 strong community in Dubai the Chinese expatriates are keen to do more in this regard.
“Philanthropy is deeply rooted in the DNA of more than 5,000-year-old Chinese culture. Giving and helping form an important part of peopleto-people connectivity, which is what our President Xi Jinping has been calling for, to build a community with shared future for mankind, and which is what Shaikh Zayed instilled in the people of the UAE,” said Zhenshan, as he took part in distributing iftar packs containing mutton biryani, juices, fruit, water and dates.
“This initiative is a coherent humanitarian and charitable step aimed at encouraging our partners to engage with local communities and support important causes. This is the first time we are organising an event like this which engages people from different communities and faiths, I believe this will prove to be a catalyst to take part in more such events,” said Song Wang, Deputy Chairman of the Chinese Business Council in Dubai and head of Cosco Shipping in West Asia.
The UAE has more than 4,000 Chinese companies operating in various sectors, with around 270,000 Chinese living here.