On 24 September, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kolkata held a grand reception to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in West Bengal.
Chinese Consul General in Kolkata Mr. Zha Liyou and Mrs Zheng Huiqun, West Bengal Government representative Mr. P. Mohangandhi (IAS), MP Mr. Md. Nadimul Haque, Director of MEA Branch Secretariat Kolkata Ms. Neelam Rani, Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Barun Kumar Ray, President of Bengal Olympic Association Mr. Swapan Banerjee, Odisha BJD General Secretary Mr. Priyadarshi Mishra, President of All India Overseas Chinese Association Chen Yaohua, together with representatives from business, universities and schools, thinktanks, consular corps, media, Chinese community, Chinese companies etc., amounting to nearly 600 people, were present.
Consul General Zha said in his remarks that over the past 74 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have opened up a path to Chinese-style modernization and created two miracles: rapid economic development and long-term social stability, moving towards the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.
China and India are ancient oriental civilizations that have been adjacent to each other for thousands of years, the only two major developing countries in the world with a population of more than 1 billion and both are important emerging economies with broad development prospects. A stable and healthy China-India relationship is in the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples. The common development and revitalization of the two countries is related to the future of Asia and the world.
Consul General Zha emphasized that local cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between eastern Indian states and Chinese provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities have great potential and will have a profound impact on promoting the development of relations between the two countries. The Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata is willing to become a bridge for bilateral cooperation and exchanges in the east India and will, as always, promote the further development of friendly and cooperative relations between eastern Indian states and Chinese provinces.
Dignitaries and guests warmly congratulated the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, appreciated the great work done by the Chinese Consulate General in strengthening local friendly exchanges between India and China, and looked forward to joining hands to enhance friendship and develop more potential for cooperation between our two countries.
The reception was decorated with lanterns and flowers in a warm, friendly and festive atmosphere. The Kolkata Chinese Lion Dance Team presented a wonderful traditional Chinese lion dance performance. Promotional videos on China's development achievements and beautiful scenery were played on a loop. Books and videos on China's national conditions and friendly exchanges between China and India attracted lots of guests.
Nearly 30 local English, Hindi and Bengali mainstream media, including Times of India, PTI, ET, Millemnum Post, ANI, India Today and NDTV etc were present to cover the event.