Leaders have been busy with bilateral meetings over the weekend,
and for a group of African children living in Beijing it was no
different.
More than 30 children from 22 mostly African countries gathered
together yesterday at Beizhan Theatre to share their feelings of
being a united global family with their international audience.
"It is so good to have the opportunity to sing for our
friendship here," said 15-year-old Michelle Pango from Angola, who
is studying at Pakistan Embassy College in the capital.
"I have many good Chinese friends. We talk about our cultures. I
have heard many things I have never seen in my country from my
friends, such as the dragon. China is really a big and beautiful
country," said Pango.
Musonda T. Banda, a 15-year-old Zambian girl who is Pango's
classmate, applied to join the chorus as soon as she heard the
news.
"I have so many friends from various countries in my school. I
want to sing with them for the common hope of a brighter future,"
said Banda.
According to Shueran Sarwar, a teacher from the college, many
more children applied to join the chorus when they knew the theme
of their performance.
"Living in the international community, they keenly understand
the meaning of friendship between all countries," said Sarwar.
"It is a motto in my college that all human beings should live
together in a friendly way, make friends and show our mutual
affection," said Sarwar.
Twenty wives of African leaders and hundreds of visitors who
came for the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation watched the
performance together with Liu Yongqing, wife of Chinese President
Hu Jintao.
Besides the impressive song by the children, a performance by
the Chinese Disabled People's Art Troupe also won applause from the
audience.
"It is so fantastic. They must have practiced a lot to perform
so well. I respect them for their professionalism and
perseverance," said Madam Lucy Kibaki, wife of Kenya President Mwai
Kibaki.
Muhuammad Raja, press and culture counsellor for the Pakistan
Embassy in China, said it was one of the best performances he had
seen.
"I really appreciate the Chinese leadership who take good care
of them," said Raja.
More than 100 artists from the disabled art group, either
visually or hearing impaired, danced and played in perfect
time.
"I know today that we are performing for friends from African
countries who have helped China much in international affairs. I
have practiced many times, and I am confident that all my
colleagues showed their best to our African friends," said Mao Di,
24-year-old violinist with the troupe.
(China Daily November 6, 2006)