Cultural exchanges will deepen Uganda-China relations

By Justin Ojangole

On January 26, the Chinese Embassy in Uganda marked the New Year with a colourful and entertaining cultural show at Makerere University. The main performance was by the well-known Shaanxi Provincial Acrobatic Art Troupe from China's Shaanxi Province.

The show was just one of the many recent Chinese cultural events held in Uganda. Others include the annual dragon boat festival and performances by students of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University.

At face value, these events are primarily entertainment shows. However, they demonstrate the growing role of cultural exchanges in deepening the relations between the people of Uganda and China.

Cultural exchanges bring people closer and enhance global understanding. In the case of China, these events debunk the misconception that China's interest in Africa is mainly for economic benefit and exploitation of natural resources.

Misconceptions occur because of little knowledge. During my recent visit to China to attend the Leading African Columnists Seminar, one of the facilitators asked a question. "What were your views and perceptions about China before you came to China?"

The answers were very interesting and included: ‘Chinese are poor people with little food because of over-population…. Chinese are producers of fake products…. Chinese practice witchcraft…. They are uneducated because most of them do not speak English…. They are experts in acrobatic and kung fu martial arts disciplines.'

By the end of the seminar, these perceptions had been debunked. Participants returned to their home countries with a much better understanding of China and many were even ready to mark or celebrate 2019 as the Chinese Year of the Pig - a commemoration based on ancient Chinese mythology which celebrates the pig as a symbol of wealth.

In his book titled "The Governance of China", President Xi Jinping emphasizes the complementarity between economic cooperation and cultural exchanges for the mutual benefit of China and its development partners.

He writes: "We must promote economic cooperation and cultural exchanges simultaneously. We must work meticulously in the field of cultural exchanges, respecting culture, history, customs and lifestyles of all countries, and increase friendly exchanges with people of the participating countries…"

China has some of the oldest and most vibrant cultures in the world with more than 50 sites that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. To sustain this status, the Government attaches great value to culture and endeavours to conserve local historical heritage through

education, festivals, cultural centres and museums in different parts of the country. This not only benefits China but is shared to promote global understanding of the world's second-largest economy.

Mutually beneficial cultural events between Uganda and China are not only happening in Uganda, but also in China. In December 2018, the Beijing International Students' Night attracted over 2,000 foreign students, including Ugandans. The annual show was launched in 2010 to facilitate cultural exchanges and strengthen relations between Chinese and foreign students in Beijing.

Dances, choruses, musicals and other performances were staged by 24 Chinese students and 169 international students from 36 countries and regions such as Russia, South Korea, Thailand, India, Uganda and France.

In June 2018, Uganda Cultural Park was opened in Hunan Province. The park, which sits on 40 hectares of land, is surrounded by water bodies, features sculptured art pieces that showcase Ugandan wildlife such as chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, lions, and a variety of wild game.

Bob Wang, the proprietor, said: "We regard this park as the door to Africa and a window for Chinese to discover Uganda." He plans to build an exhibition room showing Ugandan products and crafts, history, culture, paintings and, in future, real animals.

Earlier, in April 2018, the first China-Africa Economic and Cultural Week was held in Guangzhou, a province in the south of China. There were various activities such as photography exhibitions, movie screenings, reading clubs and forums, sponsored by the Institute for African Studies at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Africa Investment and Trade Alliance (AITA) of Guangdong Chamber of International Commerce, and China-Africa Economic and Cultural Exchange Centre.

"We want people to get a better understanding of Africa by immersing themselves in these activities," said Huo Jiangtao, the founder of China-Africa Economic and Cultural Week.

Cultural performances and practices are highly valued, respected and adored in China. They are encouraged, not just for entertainment but for self-expression, education, sharing of values, sensitisation of communities and promotion of indigenous knowledge among communities.

Each time I visit China, I marvel at how the country has preserved monuments and architecture, arts and crafts, sites, books and other objects of cultural value. Through the Ministry of Culture and other entities, the Chinese government promotes the local language, oral traditions, performing arts, music, festive events, rituals, social practices and traditional dances.

Chinese cities have cultural centres that are used for diverse cultural activities including cultural exhibitions, theatres, libraries, museums and showrooms. Skilled artists and experienced teachers are encouraged to show their skills to young people and other revellers through performances, dance and martial arts

In his closing remarks at the Shaanxi Acrobatic show, the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, His Excellency Zheng Zhuqiang emphasized that cultural exchanges between Uganda and China are important in promoting cooperation and understanding between the two countries, as well as boosting tourism.

Uganda's Minister of Tourism, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, said his government is committed to promoting cultural activities and has set a target of attracting more tourists from China. Many are already coming, but the more the better.

At Makerere, there was plenty to learn about Chinese culture, dance and music. Clearly, the audience enjoyed the day, and wanted more. A visit to China by a Ugandan cultural group would provide similar learning opportunities for our brothers and sisters in that country.

I therefore would like to encourage groups like Ndere Troupe to visit China more often to showcase our cultural diversity, just as the Chinese cultural groups are doing in Uganda. That way, we will further deepen decades of strong relations between the two countries and their people. Already, the China-Uganda Friendship Association exists and can work with the embassy to arrange more cultural exchanges.

Writer is the publisher of the China-Uganda magazine and Director Publicity China Africa Friendship Association