Remarks at China Martial Arts Performance
H.E. Mr. Huang Huaguang
Ambassador of China in the Kingdom of Tonga
3 March 2015, Nuku'alofa
Your Royal Highness Crown Prince,
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister Siosi Sovaleni,
Honorable Ministers, Members of Parliament,
Members of Diplomatic Corps,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
Welcome to the China Martial Arts Performance. First of all, on behalf of Chinese Embassy, I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to Tongan Ministry of Internal Affairs, Chinese Ministry of Culture as well as Department of Culture for Henan Province for all you have done for today's performance. I'd also like to welcome Shaolin Martial Arts delegation afar from China to visit Tonga and make your contributions to the promotion of China-Tonga culture exchanges.
Martial art is an important element of Chinese culture. After thousands of years' development, it's already an outsanding spiritual wealth and culture heritage for Chinese people. In Chinese culture, a gentleman should always be versed in both polite letters and martial arts, with both ability and integrity. Martial arts never encourage violence. In Chinese character, martial arts mean the stop of violence, which clearly shows that the final purpose for it is the end of war and start of peace. In today's China, martial arts is a way for physical fitness and cultivating the minds, which brings it a popular foundation.
During its development process, there are many branches of martial arts distributed around China. Shaolin is among the most famous ones. It enjoys a unique status and has great influence in Chinese martial arts. Shaolin martial arts group have traveled to dozens of countries in Europe, America, Asia and Africa to introduce Chinese culture and are applauded by people all around the world. Seeing is believing. Today we are honor to have the Shaolin martial arts group here in Tonga. Like everyone here today, I am looking forward to the performance.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
Now, we are in the Chinese New Year Season. This performance is also a part of the Happy Chinese New Year Program, which is organized by Chinese Ministry of Culture. Chinese New Year focuses on the idea of family reunion and pray for peace and prosperity. The Happy Chinese New Year Program aims at sharing this idea by organizing culture events in 119 countries and more than 300 cities all around the world. This is the first year for this program to visit Tonga, which will be a new bright spot for China-Tonga culture exchanges. I believe the visit of the Shaolin martial arts delegation will further promote our cultural cooperation, improve the understanding between our peoples and inject new powers for our future friendship and cooperation.
Malo 'aupito.