Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula
DOHA: Chinese martial arts (Kungfu) masters from Shaolin Temple in China dazzled in their breathtaking performance at the Qatar National Theatre Thursday night marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Qatar.
Over a dozen Buddhist monks impressed hundreds in the audience as they displayed exceptional skill demonstrating a quintessential element of Chinese culture which traces its roots during the Tang Dynasty more than a millennium ago.
“Martial arts, also known as Kungfu, is a quintessence of Chinese culture with a long and glorious history. They are widely welcomed and loved by people all around the world,” said Ambassador of China to Qatar Li Chen.
Minister of Culture and Sports, H E Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali (fourth left), and China’s Ambassador to Qatar Li Chen (third left) with other officials during the Chinese Martial Arts performance by Shaolin Kungfu Monk Corps held at Qatar National Theater on Thursday.
The ambassador said “through studying martial arts, generations of Chinese people have not only strengthened their physical fitness but also cultivated a harmonious way of living and the national spirit of perseverance.
This is similar to the noble character of forbearance and perseverance in the Islamic culture and the religious beliefs pursuing justice and peace.”
On the China Qatar relations, he said friendship between peoples of the two countries has a long history dating back 1,300 years and that over the past 30 years relations between China and Qatar “have maintained healthy and stable development with fruitful achievements through cooperation in various fields.”
“In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani announced jointly to establish a strategic partnership, opening up broader prospects of bilateral relations,” he said.
He also stressed the significance of cultural exchange as a bridge that enhance mutual understanding and friendship, between peoples and promote communication bringing them closer.
“Both China and Qatar attach great importance to carrying forward traditional cultures and exchanges among different cultural civilizations,” he said, adding recent years have seen numerous cultural exchanges between the two sides, the most prominent of which was the 2016 Qatar-China Year of Culture .
“During the period (2016 Qatar-China Year of Culture), the two sides held more than 20 various performances, exhibitions and joint artistic activities, taking the bilateral cultural exchanges to a new level,” he said.
Cultural exchanges continue following the culmination of the 2016 Year of Culture with a number of events in the past several months including the performance of the Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe here in Doha and the Al Thani Jewellery Exhibition held at Beijing’s Palace Museum.
The Shaolin Kungfu Monk Corps, who performed on Thursday, traces back its origins to Shaolin Warrior Monks in the reign of Tang Emperor Li Shimin some 1,400 years ago. The group spreads traditional Kungfu and authentic Shaolin Chan culture performing for audiences in over 60 regions and countries around the world.
Traditional boxing, Kugfu sticks, Shaolin contortion and weapons show were among the exciting martial arts shown during the hour-long event.
The Minister of Culture and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali and Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Secretary-General Jassim Rashid Al Buenain along with officials from various diplomatic missions were among those who watched the show.
Presented by the Chinese Embassy in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the cultural event also witnessed a showcase of traditional Qatari music and dance as local artistes performed traditional dances including Ardah and Al-Ashori.
