Celebrating the 45th Anniversary of bilateral relations between Australia and China, the program titled “Australia-China Friendship Bridge” was launched in April 2017 by China Cultural Centre(Sydney), Australia China Business Summit and BBM Youth Support.
October 12, an official Ceremony was held in the multi-function hall of China Cultural Centre (Sydney) to mark the successful completion of the first exchange, which was between Shanghai Ballet School and Australia Ballet School. The program was first of its kind, by connecting ballet students of two major cities of China and Australia, it aims to further deepen the long relationship between the art sectors of the two countries.
Mr Yang Zhi, the Minister Counsellor for Culture for the Chinese Embassy in Australia congratulated the successful completion of the initial stage. In his remarks, he said that as Convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions approved in 2005 suggests, acknowledging cultural diversity and promoting cross-cultural dialogues are critically important, particularly in a pluralist society like Australia. He commended that this program plays a significant role in helping to strengthen cultural ties between Australia and China and acknowledged the program organizers for the hearts and efforts they put in.
On behalf of the NSW Government, MP John Sidoti commented that this program provided opportunities to advance mutual knowledge and appreciation of each other’s cultural treasures, hence further enhanced the friendship.
MP Mark Coure and the Hon Dr. Helen Sham Ho also conveyed their message of felicitation to the program organizers and the audiences.
Chairman of BBM Youth Support and Chairman of Australia-China Business Summit, Mr. Stephen Wilkinson and Mr Yang Dong Dong, respectively, addressed the ceremony introducing the background, implementation and execution of the project.
To close the event, ballet students of Lucy Ballet School and Shanshan Dance studio put together a dance performance, while Chinese bamboo flute musician Dong Min performed excerpts from two classical melodies “Libertango” and “Bumper Harvest”.
