On the evening of January 29, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kolkata grandly held the 2024 Spring Festival reception and the farewell reception for the Consul General Mr. Zha Liyou and his wife Madam Zheng Huiqun. Guests from political circle, business circle, universities and schools, thinktanks, consular corps, media, Chinese community, Chinese companies etc., amounting to nearly 500 people, attended the reception.
In his speech, Consul General Mr. Zha extended cordial New Year greetings to the overseas Chinese, and expressed welcome and gratitude to guests from all walks of life. Consul General Mr. Zha said that 2023 is the first year of comprehensively implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects. The Chinese people, just like Indian people, are diligent, brave, and constantly striving for self-improvement, and have created countless “China Miracles.” In 2023, China and India will continue to work hard to stabilize and improve bilateral relation and get the relation back on track. China is willing to work with India to meet each other halfway, properly handle our differences, support each other and achieve mutual success, and avoid mutual consumption and mutual suspicion.
Consul General Mr. Zha reviewed his work and life in East India over the past five years, and thanked friends from all walks of life for their long-term concern and support for the cause of China-India friendship. Consul General Mr. Zha said that China-India friendship has great potential, China-India relation will eventually get out of depression and the two countries can move forward hand in hand. In 2024, the world is still full of uncertainties, but there are also opportunities of co-operation worth expecting. China will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On the occasion of centenary of the literary giant Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to China, the Consulate General will cooperate with Indian friends to organize a series of celebration activities aimed at promoting cultural exchanges and people-to-people friendship between China and India. Although he is about to retire, he will not retire from the cause of China-India friendship. I hope that in the new year, China and India will join hands to realize the dance of dragon and elephant, and the friendship between the two countries will flourish.
A short video of Consul General Mr. Zha’s work and life was played at the reception, which attracted the attention of the whole audience. Friends from all walks of life highly appreciate the extensive work and important contributions that Consul General Mr. Zha has made to promote the development of China-India relations, especially deepening cooperation between China and the East India. Everyone expressed their farewells to Consul General Mr. Zha and his wife, extended their sincere blessings, and looked forward to meeting again.
