China, Nigeria Deepen Cultural Ties Through Mid-Autumn Festival.

By Ferdinand Olise

China and Nigeria have strengthened their commitment to deepen cultural relations and people-to-people exchanges through culture, tourism and the creative industries.

Speaking in Abuja at the “Share the Moon. Share the Moment, Meet in Africa: Hunan Culture and Tourism in Nigeria” ceremony, the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, and the Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, said the Mid-Autumn Festival symbolises family reunion, harmony, peace and the pursuit of a better life, and values which resonate strongly with Nigeria’s cultural traditions.

Mr. Jianxing said cultural exchanges remained important for deepening mutual understanding between nations, noting that culture and art have the power to transcend borders and connect people across continents.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Abdulkarim Ozi, who was represented by a Special Assistant in the Ministry, Musa Alhamdu, noted that Nigeria and China have expanded cooperation across several sectors, including culture, agriculture, education, infrastructure and trade, adding that cultural exchanges provide platforms for artists and audiences to engage, collaborate and learn from one another.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Social Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Olubunmi Olowookere, said cultural engagement enables people to understand each other through music, dance, food, fashion, storytelling and tourism long before they interact through policies or trade agreements. She called for long-term institutional partnerships between artists, museums, cultural centres, tourism professional and creative entrepreneurs from both countries.

Meanwhile, President of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Muhammad Suleiman, described culture as the soul of international partnerships, noting that while both countries have collaborated in trade, infrastructure, education and other sectors for decades, cultural exchange remains essential for fostering deeper people-to-people connections.

The event featured performances by members of the Hunan cultural delegation alongside
Nigerian cultural presentations, including music, dance and acrobatic heritage of both countries. It also featured displays aimed at promoting mutual appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of both countries.