A group of Arab artists has produced many artworks infused with Chinese elements following their creative exploration journeys to China, reflecting the deep friendship between China and Arab countries.
On April 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from this group of Arab artists who have found so much creative inspiration from Chinese life and culture.
This artistic ensemble began organizing trips to China in 2009 and has and created more than 500 works of art, telling the story of Arab-Chinese friendship.
“This is the first time that I visit this amazing land. You will start but you will never end,” said Badie Jahjah, a Syrian artist.
“I have visited China seven times and have been amazed by its arts, civilization, the kindness of its people. I want to learn more about China,” said Nizar Doher, a Lebanese artist.
In the ancient town of Yaoli in Jingdezhen City, east China’s Jiangxi Province, the Arab artists were captivated by the picturesque landscape and the warmth of the local residents’ hospitality.
After enjoying a captivating dance performance on a boat, Jahjah felt as though he had found his muse and decided to paint the scene on the spot. He expressed his hope that his artwork, which included a bridge, could serve as a connection between Chinese and Arabic cultures.
“The nice Chinese people would say ‘hi’ with a smile. I’m really impressed by what happened with the boat and the dancing. This is our remembrance with this atmosphere. I chose a bridge. This is what we are here, this is what we are doing. It’s a bridge between two cultures, Arab culture and Chinese culture. All civilizations should have a bridge,” said Jahjah.
The artists were also invited to tour the Jingdezhen China Ceramics Museum, where they discovered a porcelain piece inscribed with Arabic characters.
“This subject talking about the historical. It was amazing that I saw a dish that’s written [in] Arabic. This is what makes you believe [in] mixing these cultures, presenting that we are one,” said Jahjah.
“We experience China through our own hearts during our creative exploration journey. We are grateful for these trips and hope to contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative. I want to share our story, so I invited all of our Arab artists to write a letter to President Xi,” said Doher.
In their letter to President Xi, the Arab artists expressed their admiration for China’s stunning natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage. They were particularly impressed by the country’s unique cultural landscape and dynamic social development, as well as the warmth, friendliness, bravery, and hard work of the Chinese people. They noted that these creative exploration journeys have provided them with valuable insights into understanding and appreciating China.
In his response letter, President Xi emphasized that culture connects the soul, and art serves as a medium for global communication. He highlighted the longstanding exchanges between Chinese and Arab civilizations, which have evolved from the ancient Silk Road to the contemporary Belt and Road Initiative. This enduring relationship has fostered mutual appreciation and learning, creating a rich historical narrative.
“The happiness of receiving President Xi’s reply is beyond words,” said Doher.
“We feel very happy that the President encouraged us and supported us artists. It’s an honor. It’s a motivation to produce more and better, to continue to persevere in arts,” said Leila Shili, a Tunisian artist.
In October 2023, the Arab artists showcased their artworks in Jingdezhen. Azougli Abderr Ahman, an Algerian artist, presented his painting of a bridge and gate to China.
“We call it ‘crossing civilization’. I put inspiration for Arabic structure and architecture. This big gate is an entrance to go to China, and this is the bridge for friendship. And it (another painting) is my favorite one, ‘the house of friendship’, where I put China, the love for China, Arabic people, and shake hands between each other,” said the artist.
China is ready to strengthen the synergy of development strategies with Laos, promote the expansion and improvement of economic and trade cooperation, explore more converging interests and new cooperation opportunities for mutual success and common development, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Vientiane on Saturday.
Li made the remarks when meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at the Prime Minister’s Office during his official visit to Laos.
China and Laos are good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners that share a river and a common future, Li noted.
Under the strategic guidance of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, and Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao president, the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future has continued to deepen and advance with solid progress, Li said.
China has always regarded the development of relations with Laos as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, and is willing to take the 15th anniversary of the China-Laos comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership as an opportunity to further implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, deepen political mutual trust, firmly support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests, strengthen solidarity and coordination, and make the China-Laos community with a shared future stronger, more dynamic and effective, so as to better benefit the two peoples, he said.
Li pointed out that China is ready to work with Laos to speed up the development along the China-Laos Railway and juxtaposed border control, and strengthen cooperation in new energy, advanced manufacturing, digital economy and artificial intelligence, among other fields.
China is willing to import more quality agricultural products from Laos, he said, calling on the two sides to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in medical care, education, media, culture and tourism and at sub-national levels to deepen mutual understanding and amity between the two peoples and consolidate China-Laos friendship from generation to generation.
Congratulating Laos on the successful hosting of the leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation as the rotating chair of ASEAN, Li said that China stands ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Laos in the United Nations, ASEAN, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and other multilateral mechanisms, actively implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, and jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.
For his part, Sonexay warmly congratulated China on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, highly praised China’s remarkable development achievements, and sincerely thanked China for its long-term strong support for Laos’ economic and social development.
Noting that the top leaders of the two parties and countries signed a new action plan on building the Laos-China community with a shared future in October last year, he said this year marks the opening year for the implementation of the action plan.
Laos is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, strengthen high-level and all-level exchanges in various fields, give full play to the role of the Laos-China Railway in driving economic and trade cooperation, expand collaboration in trade, investment, agriculture, infrastructure, digital economy and others, as well as deepen cultural, people-to-people and tourist exchanges and cooperation, Sonexay said.
Laos is also ready to provide mutual support and cooperation with China in international and regional affairs, jointly safeguard strategic interests, and continuously improve and upgrade the building of the Laos-China community with a shared future, he added.
After their meeting, Li and Sonexay together attended a ceremony which presented cooperation documents on interconnectivity, economy and trade, inspection and quarantine, green development and other fields.
Prior to the meeting, Sonexay held a welcome ceremony for Li at the Prime Minister’s Office.
During Li’s visit, the two sides released a joint statement between the two countries.