By Yang Shuangquan, Meng Zhuolin and Liu Wei
BEIRUT, Oct. 8 (ChinaMil) – The 17th Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon hosted the "China International Night" cultural event at the "Blue Helmet" camp on the evening of October 6, attracting over 800 officials and peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) from more than 30 countries.
The year 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. To deepen foreigners’ understanding of China, the Chinese peacekeeping force played "China", "PLA Today" and other videos prior to an art performance.
After the screening, a series of performances including the gongs and drums, Peking Opera Masks, Mongolian dance, Xinjiang dance, traditional costume performance of the Han Dynasty, martial arts, and cucurbit flute show were presented.
International students from the UNIFIL’s Chinese martial arts class were also invited to the performance. Chinese and foreign peacekeepers performed martial arts on the same stage, which became a highlight of the friendly exchange between Chinese and foreign officers and soldiers.
The Chinese peacekeepers have made careful planning in terms of food guarantee, stage layout, and performance preparation in order to fully demonstrate the charm of Chinese culture.
Three areas including photo exhibition of development achievements, food and culture exhibition, and cultural performance were established during the event.
In the photo exhibition area, the "Marching Ahead for 69 Years" National Day theme photo exhibition was specially arranged to introduce the development and progress of China and share China’s achievements with foreign friends.
In the food and culture exhibition area, Chinese peacekeepers interacted with foreign friends and played games together.
Everyone enjoyed themselves through catching ping-pong balls with chopstick, learning Chinese surnames, ionscape and musical chair. Foreign peacekeepers also experienced the unique charm of the Chinese culture.
Another highlight of the party was the on-site cooking of Chinese cuisine. The Chinese-style barbecue attracted many foreign friends, and more than 800 servings of Chinese food were consumed in just one hour.
"We Chinese peacekeepers are the 'name card of China' when we are abroad. Maintaining peace and spreading friendship is the bounden duty of each Chinese peacekeeper," said Kong Ying, a Chinese peacekeeper.
The event concluded with the song of "Auld Lang Syn" and foreign friends all came to the stage to take photos with the cast members.
The "China International Night" event is one of a series of activities to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China by the Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon. It is also a further expansion of the peacekeeping exchanges.