James Kon
The public will get a chance to learn more about Chinese culture, food, games, martial arts, dances and many unique traditions at the China Day event from tomorrow to Sunday at the Indoor Stadium, Berakas in conjunction with the Brunei China Tourism Year 2020 and Brunei December Festival 2020.
The two-day event is hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Brunei Darussalam, organised by the Brunei-China Friendship Association and supported by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS).
On Sunday, the organiser will attempt to break into the Brunei Book of Records by hosting 2,020 individuals practising tai chi simultaneously. In adhering with current mass gathering restrictions, the tai chi sessions will take place in several locations.
Details of the event were shared by Deputy Permanent Secretary (Tourism) at the MPRT Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali, Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Brunei Darussalam Wang Haitao and Brunei-China Friendship Association Chairperson Dr Muhammad Firdaus bin Abdul Rahman during a press conference at Chung Hwa Middle School, Bandar Seri Begawan.
The deputy permanent secretary said, “This is one of the events under Brunei December Festival 2020. Over 88 events have been listed for the festival and we are still receiving more events to be listed.”
Wang, meanwhile, highlighted that this is the first time that China Day has been held in the country.
“It is a Chinese cultural carnival in support of the Brunei December Festival as well as an important event of the 2020 China-Brunei Tourism Year,” he said.
China Day, he added, “is hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Brunei Darussalam, supported by the MPRT and MCYS and organised by Brunei-China Friendship Association. It will be launched tomorrow, and open to the public from noon until 9pm at the Indoor Stadium”.
He said there will be live performances of Chinese martial arts, traditional songs and dances, as well as an opportunity to immerse in tea ceremony, Chinese chess, calligraphy and table tennis.
In addition, he said, “the public can sample Chinese delicacies including dumplings, mooncakes and Zongzi. Hengyi, Huawei and other Chinese enterprises in Brunei Darussalam will also showcase their latest products and most advanced technologies.
“We hope that China Day can provide an opportunity for Bruneians to experience Chinese culture up close and to promote the friendly exchanges between our people, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “
Meanwhile, Dr Muhammad Firdaus said, “Visitors to China Day can expect to see different performances every hour. We hope that this will give visitors a feel of China.”
He also revealed that a mass tai chi session will take place on Sunday in an attempt to make it into the Brunei Book of Records.