'Cultural exchange important in bilateral ties'
Published on: Thursday, October 27, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Cultural exchanges play an important role to further solidify bilateral relationships between two countries, said China's Consul-General in Kota Kinabalu, Chen Peijie.She said exchanges in the forms of cultural and art performances like the dance-drama 'The Moon over the Helan Mountain' can build a better mutual understanding. The dance-drama was performed at Kian Kok Middle School's Hall, here, on Tuesday night."First, it is interesting to note that the dance is about a love story between a Muslim man and a Chinese girl where eventually they got married and live happily ever after.
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"I think this is quite similar to the situation in Sabah as there are diverse ethnic groups and they can live harmoniously together."Second, a bigger point to be taken through the performances is that it can deepen the bilateral relationship between China and Malaysia, and of course Sabah."Cultural exchange is important in bilateral relationships. Moreover in Sabah, not only the Chinese but the other ethnic groups are fond of the Chinese culture like the films, dance and martial arts, among others," she said when met after the performance.The performance was graced by the Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni as well as several Cabinet ministers.
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'The Moon over the Helan Mountain' was organised by the government of Yin Chuan city and co-organised by Ma-Zhong Friendship Association Sabah. The performance was also supported by the Consulate General of China in Kota Kinabalu.The dance tells a story of the origin of the Hui ethnic group which is a predominantly Muslim community, concentrated mainly in the northwestern provinces of China.
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Thousands of years ago in the ancient Silk Road, a caravan from the Western Regions accomplished its mission of travelling through the desert and across the Yellow River with the assistance of local Han Chinese.The caravan overcame many difficulties and challenges and during the journey, the young Western Nassau and the local girl Hai Zhen fell in love with each other. Their love surpassed beyond the limits of nationality, faith and custom and they made an oath at the foot of Helan Mountain and settled down there.Ma-Zhong Friendship Association Sabah Assistant Secretary Deric Chiew said the dance aimed to promote the cultures from China among Sabahans."The main objective of the association is to conduct cultural exchanges between China and Malaysia."Apart from the Hui ethnic group, we have also brought other cultural groups from other ethnic groups in China," he said.He added, it is hoped that such performance can strengthen unity among the diverse races and religions in the State."About 3,000 people came to watch the performance and nearly ten per cent of them are non-Chinese."And when I asked some of them, they can understand and relate to the performance."One among the audience, Annie Hee said this was the first time she had heard about the Hui ethnic group and she found it interesting."The performance is good as I got to know their culture. And it was amazing… even without scripts, we can understand the story through their dances," she said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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